Chelsea have seen a 75m euro (£60m) offer for Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana rejected by their fellow Premier League side, and the Blues are now weighing up whether to up their offer or seek alternative solutions to their defensive issues.
Thomas Tuchel has earmarked Fofana as a player to strengthen his backline this summer after the loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at the beginning of July, but Brendan Rodgers continues to insist that the Frenchman is not for sale despite Leicester’s need for funds to kickstart their own transfer window.
“No, he’s not for sale”, he told the media. When we looked at him he had played 17 games. Everyone had a look at him back then but he’s come here, really flourished and developed, not just as a player but as a young man.
Breaking | Chelsea have €75m opening bid for Wesley Fofana rejected by Leicester City. More follows. (L’Éq)
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 3, 2022
“He really respects the club. I’ve got no doubt that in the future he’ll be on that highest stage but he’s very comfortable and he feels good here. He has a great relationship with his team-mates which is important and there’s no doubt he will grace that stage. But for now he’s here, he’s developing and like I said he’s not for sale.”
Fofana himself has removed any mention of Leicester City from his social media, prompting speculation that he may be pushing for a move to Stamford Bridge this summer.
📲Wesley Fofana removing “Player at Leicester City.” from his Twitter bio. pic.twitter.com/TJPEALGiRS
— Leicester City Xtra. (@XtraLeicester) August 2, 2022
The clubs continue to remain £20m apart in valuation, with the Foxes holding out for a fee in excess of £80m to sell Fofana this summer, which would make him the most expensive defender in history.