Chelsea are still working very hard on signing new defenders, and today things have really kicked on in terms of developments.
It looks like Todd Boehly is working on a number of defensive targets at a time to bring in and bolster Thomas Tuchel’s options at the back, and Wesley Fofana of Leicester City has become the priority in the central areas.
Sources: Updates on 8 players who are trying to leave Chelsea this window.
Multiple sources have been reporting Chelsea’s keen interest to sign him since last week now, and it looks like talks have continued on into this week as The Blues attempt to agree a fee with Leicester.
Ben Jacobs, an insider who is actually also a Leicester City fan, has some latest updates on the situation. He claims that the two clubs are now just £20m apart of the valuation for the defender, but Chelsea are prepared to go even higher with their offer.
Bit more intel on Fofana. Chelsea and Leicester close to £20m apart in initial valuation. #CFC are prepared to go up. Further talks this week. PSG have also enquired. They value Fofana at just under £55m all-in. Won't be enough or even close.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 1, 2022
You’d suggest that this means there has been some progress and a deal could be struck.
Jacobs is making it up. Leicester do not reveal what they will accept for a player they do not want to sell. And Fofana is a crucial player for them. I would go as far as to say if Leicester’s owners give in to the pressure being applied by Chelsea and their allies in the media, Rodgers may well walk too. The stakes are high.
I hope Chelsea can seal this deal before the window closes