Wesley Fofana has been left out of Leicester City’s squad to face Chelsea this weekend amid his links with a move to the Blues, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have been showing a lot of interest in the Frenchman in recent weeks as they look to sign another defender before the end of the transfer window.
Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella have both signed for the club this summer, with the duo already making an instant impact so far this season.
However, Chelsea will be keen to welcome another option for their backline this season.
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Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde were both previous targets but the Blues failed to sign them, with Fofana now emerging as the next speculated name.
Leicester have recently rejected a third bid from Chelsea for the 21-year-old, an offer that is said to have been worth around £70 million plus add-ons.
Tuchel’s side do not want to go higher than that offer, with the player’s future therefore still undecided.
Fofana was omitted from the Foxes squad that faced Southampton in their 2-1 Premier League loss on Saturday afternoon.
Now, the centre-back will not feature for the second game in a row when his current side make the trip to Stamford Bridge this coming weekend.
Earlier on Thursday, RMC Sport reported that Fofana has not been included in the squad for the upcoming clash in west London.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has now confirmed this via the Leicester Mercury in his pre-match press conference, saying: “He won’t be available for the weekend. He has trained with our Under-21 squad.”
He also commented on a potential fourth bid from Chelsea for the player: “I’m not sure.
“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."
Fofana has already played two games this season, featuring in the Foxes’ draw to Brentford and loss away at Arsenal.
They may well have been his final minutes for the club, although a move to Chelsea before the end of the window is not yet certain.
Tuchel’s side have experienced a mixed start to the season so far, and new signings may still be needed despite welcoming six additions so far this window.
An opening weekend win away at Everton was followed by a draw against Tottenham, with the Blues then falling to defeat against Leeds on Sunday afternoon.
Topics: Wesley Fofana, Chelsea, Leicester City
Robert Calcutt