Union Berlin are reportedly in line to win the race to sign Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana.
Having secured a top-four finish in the Bundesliga, Union Berlin are currently preparing to feature in the Champions League group stages.
In order to secure last season's position, it took a collective effort in the final third with only two players scoring more than six goals in the top flight.
As a result, Urs Fischer is making an effort to strengthen his options, with Brendon Aaronson and Mikkel Kaufmann already making the switch to Stadion An der Alten Forstere.
However, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Fischer's squad will soon be bolstered by the arrival of Fofana.
© Reuters
In January, Fofana penned a six-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the 20-year-old viewed as a prospect who can eventually become a first-team player.
Nevertheless, the Ivory Coast international has just endured a frustrating opening stint with the Blues, being restricted to just 112 minutes across four senior appearances.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to follow Kai Havertz out of the exit door, it appeared to be a possibility that Fofana could be retained by Mauricio Pochettino.
Instead, Plettenburg says that Fofana will soon be making the switch to Germany on a season-long loan deal, Berlin not possessing the option to buy.
© Reuters
While discussions are said to remain ongoing, Plettenburg adds on Twitter that there is every indication that a deal will soon be finalised.
Berlin seem to have beaten the likes of Strasbourg, a newly-acquired club of Chelsea's owners, and Sporting Lisbon in the race for Fofana's signature.
Before moving to Chelsea, Fofana made his name at Norwegian side Molde, contributing 24 goals and 10 assists from just 65 appearances in all competitions.
All parties are now in agreement that he must gain regular action in a stronger league to enhance his development after Chelsea paid a fee of just below £11m for his signature.
Darren Plant
