Chelsea have gone one step closer to signing Wesley Fofana from Leicester City after agreeing personal terms with the defender, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel admitted on Friday afternoon that he wanted one more central defender this summer for his defensive rebuild, and that is Fofana of Leicester.
“We could use one more central defender,” said the Chelsea head coach. “If you look at the numbers and we play with a back three. The profile of the guys in the three is a little bit different, I admit.
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“Playing with Azpi, more a fullback than central defender. Cucurella it’s possible. Both of them cannot play as central defenders.
'We could use one more central defender. Let’s see what happens.”
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Fofana, 21, is valued at over £80 million by Leicester City and the Foxes want a world-record fee for a defender paid this summer if Chelsea are to convince them of selling the France international this summer.
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Chelsea have already had two bids rejected by Leicester, which Brendan Rodgers confirmed was well below the club’s valuation
“There was two (bids), but nowhere near what the club would consider,” Rodgers said on Thursday.
“We’re not looking to sell.
"Naturally if there’s interest from other clubs, that is looked at by the club. He’s a top young defender and there are not too many around his age.”
Despite Leicester’s hopes of keeping the highly-rated defender, Fofana is keen on making the switch, and as reported by Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mail, Chelsea have now agreed personal terms.
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There is a ‘growing sense’ that they will sell for the right price, and the Blues have completed 50 per cent of the job.
Fofana, should he make the move, is set for a bumper pay rise which could see him earn around £200,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are continuing to hold talks with Leicester over the transfer fee, but it will take in excess of £80 million to sign him.
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If Fofana arrives before the end of the summer transfer window he will join Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, both of whom made the switch earlier this summer to bolster the back-line following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
When Thomas tuchel was asked about interest in Fofana on Friday, he refused to comment on other teams' players.
“I will not comment. No matter how good your question may be, I will not comment."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Wesley Fofana, Chelsea, Leicester City, Premier League, Thomas Tuchel, Football
