Derby County backed to beat Celtic to 'exciting' Chelsea transfer | OneFootball

Football League World's Derby County Fan Pundit has weighed in the Rams' interest in David Datro Fofana.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Derby County are in the market for a new striker this month, with Chelsea's David Datro Fofana on John Eustace's wishlist ahead of the February 2 deadline.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Rams, Celtic and Royal Antwerp are pursuing a deal for the 23-year-old after several loan spells away from Stamford Bridge.

Derby have not had the same goal output from their attacking line since Carlton Morris was injured against Watford in November, and therefore it was perhaps expected that a new striker would have been a desire at Pride Park in January.

Fofana has Premier League experience with Burnley and Chelsea, and while two clubs with European prowess are also in the hunt for the Ivorian, one Rams fan is excited about the link.

Verdict made on Derby County's David Datro Fofana interest

At 23, the forward has an incredible amount of experience, especially with appearances in the UEFA Champions League to his name already.

It's a move that few would have expected at the start of the month, but when asked by Football League World whether Fofana would be a welcome addition, Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, said: "Fofana would be an exciting addition, I think, to the squad, and it's someone we probably could do with.

"With Morris being out injured, we don't know when he's going to return, and I don't think Eustace trusts Salvesen through the middle. He's hardly played him since Morris has been out.

"He's actually tried Agyemang, he's tried Brewster. I don't think either of them suit being that focal point up top. They both prefer to play either with a partner or to the left or right in a three."

Shaun continued: "So, at the moment, it's definitely an area we could strengthen. Fofana's been around a bit for someone so young, and he’s scored goals in the Premier League for Burnley. He’s someone that I think could come into the Championship and do quite well.

"It'd be exciting. It's definitely an area we need to strengthen because we can't just wait for Morris to come back."

Liam Rosenior could do Derby County a favour with David Datro Fofana move

Fofana has been on loan at Turkish side Karagumruk throughout the first-half of the 2025/26 campaign, and he has been in excellent form, scoring five goals in 12 league games, as well as two goals in two matches in the cup.

However, Chelsea are seemingly looking to part ways with players who do not have a future with the club, and the 23-year-old has played just four times for the Blues.

With Liam Rosenior now in charge of the Premier League giants, this could be the perfect opportunity for Derby to make a move, with the new Chelsea head coach getting his first break in management with the Rams in 2022/23.

The former Strasbourg manager led Derby in the first weeks of their return to League One in an interim position before Paul Warne was appointed, having joined the club under Phillip Cocu in a coaching role three years prior. This could be the perfect way to give back to the club who gave him his chance in management, and supporters will hope a deal can be agreed.