Wesley Fofana, a centre back for Leicester City, is said to have informed the Foxes that he wants to join Chelsea this summer. The Blues are thought to have made the 21-year-old the subject of two proposals, one of which would have required Thomas Tuchel's team to spend up to £70 million.
Chelsea's attempts to sign Fofana, who only recently extended his contract at the King Power until 2027, have been rejected by Brendan Rodgers' team. The former Saint-Etienne youth reportedly believes that Leicester are now trying to keep him from signing with Chelsea, where he might play in the Champions League.
According to The Guardian, Fofana has now told Leicester that he wants to join Chelsea, but a world-record amount would probably be needed to sign him.
Harry Maguire, who Manchester United purchased from Leicester in 2019 for an amount of £80 million, continues to hold the title of being the most expensive defender in the history of the club.
The reports also states that Chelsea may eventually be willing to concede to Leicester's demands, albeit the Foxes would ideally aim to surpass that with an £85 million offer for Fofana.
However, given that Fofana missed the majority of the 2021-22 season due to a fibula fracture received in a preseason friendly, Tuchel's team is still concerned about the Frenchman's fitness.
Fofana played the entire 90 minutes in each of Leicester's first two Premier League games this season, making 12 appearances toward the end of the campaign and scoring once.
The 6' 3" defender has been on the books at the King Power for at least another year, according to Rodgers, who has regularly expressed his wish to keep him there.
"Naturally, if there is interest from another club, that is looked at by the club,"
Rodgers told Sky Sports News after Saturday's 4-2 defeat to Arsenal.
"He's a top young defender and there are not too many around his age."
"Another year here for him at least would be really important for his development, but he is quite calm and relaxed in the situation. He is aware of the interest. He understands where we are as a club and where we see him."
In 52 appearances across all leagues for Leicester, Fofana has one goal and one assist. He was also a part of the Foxes backline that defeated Chelsea in the 2020-21 FA Cup final.
In order to strengthen their defence this summer, Chelsea has already brought in Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, with the former scoring his first goal for the team in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
When the Blues visit Leeds United on Sunday, they will try to maintain their unbeaten record. However, Tuchel will miss touchline duty due to his altercation with Antonio Conte and subsequent red card in the London derby.
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