Mueez Ajao
– Leicester City have rejected a third bid from Chelsea for Wesley Fofana, believed to be between £60m and £70m.
– It is understood the offer for the 21-year-old centre-back includes add-on clauses, some of which are considered by Leicester to be unrealistic.
– But the Foxes who are yet to win this season, have maintained their stance that the Frenchman is not for sale.
Also Read: Everton reject new Chelsea bid for Anthony Gordon
– And it could take a world record fee for a defender – more than £80m – for City to consider Chelsea’s advances.
Leicester have turned down new bid from Chelsea for Wesley Fofana. Fee understood to be around £70m but with difficult add-ons included, as @JPercyTelegraph mentioned. 🚨🔵 #LCFC
Chelsea feel there’s still chance to push/insist for Fofana, as he really wants the move. pic.twitter.com/iIswOXxr4t
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2022
– The Blues have already spent about £170m this summer, and recently had a £40m bid for Everton forward Anthony Gordon turned down.
– Thomas Tuchel’s side are also in talks with Barcelona about signing former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
– Fofana was left out of the Leicester squad on Saturday when they lost 2-1 to Southampton after manager Brendan Rodgers said he was “not in the right frame of mind to play”.
– The defender, who joined the Foxes from St Etienne in 2020 and has been capped by France at Under-21 level, signed a new five-year deal at the King Power Stadium in March.
– It is unclear whether Fofana will return to the squad this weekend, given that Leicester face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers confirms Chelsea bid for Fofana: “We’ve received one fresh bid for Fofana and it has been turned down”. 🚨🔵 #LCFC #CFC
Rodgers also added that Fofana is now “training with the U23s after failing to turn up to a training session last week”, via @RobTannerLCFC. pic.twitter.com/aLJXkzE8zg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2022