Derby County keen on Chelsea striker - Birmingham City, Norwich & Sheffield United should join transfer battle | OneFootball

Derby County are interested in signing David Datro Fofana on a permanent deal, but should face competition from other Championship sides

Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana is set to leave Chelsea on a permanent deal this transfer window, with Derby County one of the clubs interested in taking the Ivorian.

As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano via X, David Datro Fofana and Chelsea are working on a deal that sees the 23-year-old leave the club permanently this January, with Derby County challenging the likes of Celtic and Royal Antwerp for the Ivorian's signature.

Fofana signed for Chelsea in January 2023 from Norwegian outfit Molde for a reported fee of between £8 million and £10 million, having beaten Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion to his signature.

Though since his switch to the London side, Datro Fofana has made just three league appearances for the club, and has since spent time on loan with the likes of Union Berlin, Burnley, Goztepe, and, most recently, Fatih Karagumruk.

Now, it looks as though his Chelsea career is over, and with Derby circling for his signature, FLW has identified THREE other Championship sides that should be vying for his signature this winter.

Birmingham City

Birmingham City are a club holding real Premier League aspirations within the next few years, which has been reflected in their transfer business under Chris Davies.

Most recently, the Blues were linked with a move for Gambian international attacker Abdoulie Manneh, who is currently plying his trade for Swedish champions Mjallby, though that move has since fallen through.

Girona midfielder Jhon Solis also appears to be on Birmingham's radar this winter to join Kai Wagner, who was swiftly signed from MLS side Philadelphia Union upon the opening of the window.

A move for Manneh clearly indicates that the Blues are looking for reinforcements in attacking areas, with Datro Fofana fitting the bill as a versatile forward.

They have the money to complete such a deal if they so wished, and with their deal for Manneh having fallen through, the Ivorian international could prove to be an excellent alternative as Birmingham continue their hunt for the Premier League.

Norwich City

Norwich City find themselves in the bottom three positions of the Championship just after the halfway point of the season, and though Philippe Clement's arrival has produced an upturn in performances and form, there is still a long way to go before safety is a certainty.

Canadian winger Ali Ahmed was signed from Vancouver Whitecaps upon the opening of the window, but with the likes of Ante Crnac, Jeffrey Schlupp, Amankwah Forson, and Papa Diallo all spending prolonged periods out with injury, reinforcements in the final third are still a priority.

This is especially the case now that Josh Sargent dropped the bomb that he didn't want to be included in their matchday squad against Walsall in the FA Cup because of 'transfer things in his head', as Clement put it.

This comes after Toronto FC submitted an $18 million (£13.4 million) bid for the USMNT forward, who could very well leave Carrow Road before the end of the month.

Datro Fofana can cover several positions in the final third, including the striker, and should Sargent depart, he could act as another option in that role with the on-fire Jovon Makama, as the Canaries look to fly away from the bottom three.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United underwent a whirlwind of a summer, with Chris Wilder being replaced by Ruben Selles, who oversaw the entirety of the summer window, to then be replaced once again by Wilder.

What came was a scattergun approach to the window, with few summer additions making the desired impact following their arrival.

In the forward areas, Tom Cannon, Danny Ings, and Tyrese Campbell have all struggled in front of goal at various stages of the season, leading to Wilder bringing in Patrick Bamford on a free transfer in November.

Tahith Chong and Andre Brooks have struggled to contribute to goals and assists from wide, though Callum O'Hare has taken up the mantle, with seven goals and five assists in 25 league appearances this season thus far.

Another option in the attacking third could yet prove to be a real game-changer for the Blades, who are now looking up the table as opposed to down, with Wilder turning the club's form on its head since his return.

A top-six finish is still well and truly on the cards at Bramall Lane, and adding someone like Datro Fofana could prove to be the catalyst that they need to fire them into the play-off picture.