Chelsea could fork out over £80 million to land Wesley Fofana and believe they could sign the defender, despite Leicester City insisting he is not for sale.
According to Matt Law of Daily Telegraph, Chelsea are prepared to pay over £80 million to sign Wesley Fofana. Despite Leicester City’s insistence about the player not being on sale, the Blues believe if their offer matches the asking price for their top defensive target, a transfer could materialise.
It has been a strange transfer window for Chelsea, who have been caught off guard regarding some of their transfer targets. For instance, many believe they have overpaid for some players like Marc Cucurella this summer.
Chelsea signed Cucurella in a £62 million deal, including bonuses, which was far more than the £50 million asking prices widely reported in the media. Similarly, Leicester City are demanding around £80 million for Wesley Fofana, for whom the Blues are reportedly prepared to fork out over the asking price.
Matt Law of Daily Telegraph has reported that Chelsea could be ready to pay over £80 million to land Fofana this summer. The young Frenchman is now considered the west London club’s top defensive target, despite signing Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers tells @owynnpa that Wesley Fofana is “not for sale”, very clear on club position – same as the board. ? #LCFC
Chelsea have still no intention to give up and will try to negotiate again next week on Fofana/Gvardiol, both really difficult. #CFC pic.twitter.com/PXbRRxBSxa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 31, 2022
When the west London club enquired about Fofana, Leicester quoted them an £80 million valuation. In response, Chelsea lodged a £60 million offer, which was swiftly rejected. Days later, the Blues have seen their latest proposal worth £70 million also get knocked back, as the Foxes continue to hold out for their asking price.
There is a belief that Fofana wants to join Chelsea this summer, which has boosted their pursuit of the defender. However, the report about Chelsea being willing to pay over £80 million indicates how much Thomas Tuchel values the young Frenchman.
There have also been reports claiming that personal terms are also in place, but the main issue right now is to convince Leicester to sell. The Foxes have stood firm on their stance that Fofana is not for sale, although if their demands are met, there is a belief from Chelsea’s camp a deal could be stuck.
If that happens, Fofana will become one of the costliest defender in world football. For now, though, Chelsea will be scrambling to get the deal for their top defensive target over the line, possibly with an outlay of over £80 million.
