Chelsea agree huge fee for French superstar
Wesley Fofana appears to be Stamford Bridge’s latest big-money signing
Chelsea appear to have secured their man after their prolonged pursuit of France defender Wesley Fofana after agreeing a near world record deal with Leicester City for the uncapped 21-year-old.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had aggressively pursued Fofana after losing starting centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, but were rebuffed in their attempts to sign a host of the continent’s best defensive talent.
But after failing moves for Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake, the Premier League side appear to be close to signing the prodigiously talented Fofana in what could become a world record for a defender. .
Chelsea had two bids rejected for Frenchman but appear to have succeeded with a third bid estimated at around £75m ($85.5m); a development which comes after Fofana reportedly informed Leicester City of his desire to leave the club.
Additions to the deal could see the value eclipse the current most expensive defender in history, Harry Maguire, following his 2019 move from Leicester to Manchester United.
« in the right frame of mind” to select.
« I mentioned in the week about going to a Premier League game and maybe one or two players weren’t in the right frame of mind you can’t wear them and certainly we can’t not“, Rodgers said in comments to NBC.
« So that’s the reason for the change..”
Gutted to lose it but I would like @Wesley_Fofanaa good. Every player wants to play @Champions League football so it’s understandable. @Chelsea FC fans, you have the most prodigiously talented young centre-back in the world. Yes, I believe it is good. https://t.co/iq1TjycLkD
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) August 27, 2022
Fofana is set to sign a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge after playing just 37 games for Leicester since joining the Premier League from French side Saint-Etienne.
His impending signing comes amid a frantic few weeks in Chelsea’s transfer market under new owner Todd Boehly, who took over from Roman Abramovich in the boardroom in May.
The club have already signed the signings of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, as well as many young talents. They are also tipped to complete the signing of gifted young Russian playmaker Arsen Zakharyan in the coming days.
Fofana, meanwhile, has been heralded as perhaps the best young defender in the world by football pundit (and famous Leicester fan) Gary Lineker.
Writing on Twitter, the former England international striker said: « Gutted to lose it but I would like [Wesley Fofana] good. Every player wants to play Champions League football, so that’s understandable. Chelsea fans, you have the most prodigiously talented young centre-back in the world. Yes, I believe he is so good.”
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