Chelsea: £85m star now 'Tuchel's priority' at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

Chelsea are prioritising the signing of Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana ‘at this moment’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Blues have already seen multiple attempts to prise the 21-year-old away from the King Power Stadium end in disappointment, although it seems they have not given up hope of securing his services just yet.

What is the latest news involving Fofana?

It was reported by the Daily Mail that Chelsea had seen an opening offer worth £60 million for Fofana rejected by Leicester after it fell well short of their valuation.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano then revealed that Thomas Tuchel’s charges saw a second bid worth in excess of £70m turned down as the Foxes are insisting their prized asset is not for sale.

However, Romano also stated that Chelsea are ‘determined to try again for Fofana’ and that the player is ‘100% keen on the move’ following two seasons in the Premier League.

And the Daily Mail have also stated that the France Under-21 international will not be allowed to leave Leicester unless his £85m price tag is met, a fee that would make him the world’s most expensive defender.

Chelsea are eager to replace departed centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen before September’s deadline and Fofana could join Kalidou Koulibaly in the capital club’s new-look backline.

What has Jones said about Fofana?

RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol is also believed to be firmly on Chelsea’s radar, yet Jones has informed GiveMeSport that it’s Fofana who is sitting at the top of Tuchel’s wish list.

He said: “Fofana’s the priority at this moment. Chelsea are still progressing with this one.

“I think it’s really interesting that you hear other clubs pursuing players at the moment, and you hear they’ve been knocked back in this, knocked back in that. With Chelsea, it seems to be quite a fluid situation in their pursuit of Fofana.”

Where would Fofana fit in?

Chelsea lined up with Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Koulibaly as their three central defenders on the opening weekend against Everton.

Koulibaly, at 31, was the youngest of the trio, and Tuchel is seemingly eager to add a youthful option in the heart of defence as he plans for long-term success at Stamford Bridge.

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Therefore, Fofana would most likely challenge Azpilicueta for a starting berth on the right-hand side of Chelsea’s defence.

Fofana has made 51 appearances for Leicester, helping them to a fifth-placed finish in 2020/21 as well as FA Cup glory, and he could be set to take the next step in his promising career.