Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Leicester City for the transfer of defender Wesley Fofana, according to reports.
After having three bids rejected for the 21-year-old, Fofana looks set to make the switch to Stamford Bridge on a long-term deal this summer with Chelsea getting a deal over the line with days to go until the summer transfer window closes.
Bids of £50, 60 and 70 million were knocked back, but it appears a fourth offer has been successful.
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As reported by RMC Sport in France, a verbal agreement has been reached between Chelsea and Leicester City for the 21-year-old defender.
It could be a world-record fee for a defender, with L'Equipe reporting Chelsea will pay £70 million plus-add ons for the France international.
He will pen a six-year contract in west London.
Chelsea face Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend and Fofana was excluded from the squad after being demoted to the Development Squad after missing training last week.
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Personal terms have already been agreed between Chelsea and Fofana over a long-term deal which could be worth around £200,000-a-week once he puts pen to paper.
Thomas Tuchel was coy over Fofana ahead of the game and didn't comment, with Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City manager, stating that he would not leave unless the offer satisfied the club.
“It’s your job to read into that," responded Tuchel on Fofana not facing Chelsea.
"It’s not our player. It’s their decision and where it has to stay.”
Rodgers said on Tuesday: “There’s an offer gone in and it’s been rejected.
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"It’ll be the club’s decision which is ultimately over my head.
"Clubs need to find an agreement. From a football perspective, if it happens the sooner the better because it may allow us to do some work.
"The valuation needs to be met for (Leicester owner) Top and the other board members.
"He’s not training with the first team, he’s with the U23s to get his football fitness.
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"It’s important to control any distractions. I can only use players who have full commitment. Until then he trains with the U23s."
On Thursday, he added: “I’m not sure (if a fourth bid is coming). “It’s not my concentration. I can’t lose energy thinking so much about it.
“It’ll be between the clubs. We have to continue to work with what we have."
Topics: Wesley Fofana, Chelsea, Leicester City, Premier League
Matthew Debono