Chelsea have been handed a green light in their pursuit of Leicester City defender, Wesley Fofana.
What’s the word?
That is according to a report from the Express, who claim that the 21-year-old French defender gave his biggest hint yet that he would be departing the Foxes in order to secure a move to Chelsea.
After Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to Arsenal, Fofana approached the Leicester City supporters and could be seen clapping, which was interpreted as a farewell in light of the interest that Boehly-owned Chelsea have shown this summer.
As per the piece, Chelsea have had two bids rejected by Leicester, with their latest offer said to be in the region of around £70million.
From the same source, it is said that Leicester have not ruled out a sale, but value the youngster at around £85million.
As per the same report, it is said that Chelsea boss Tuchel is keen to add “one more signing” to his squad, with Fofana thought to be his prime target.
Tuchel will be buzzing
Whilst Chelsea have some veteran defenders in Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and now Kalidou Koulibaly, they would benefit from the signing of a high potential and already elite defender like Fofana.
Since making the switch to the Midlands back in 2020, the 21-year-old has proved to be an instant hit with his high calibre defensive displays for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Quite simply, Fofana is an exact cutout of a modern day centre-back, merging physicality with elegance on and off the ball.
His average of 81.22 touches per 90 place him in the 91st percentile in comparison to positionally similar players across Europe’s top five leagues, whilst his average of 63.11 passes per 90.
For additional context, Virgil Van Dijk averages 67.63 passes completed per 90, and with Liverpool’s possession metrics much higher than that of Leicester City’s, it underlines his importance and ability in possession.
With metrics close to that of Van Dijk, it is no wonder that the France under-21 international has been described as “sensational” by Jack Pitt-Brooke and a “genius” as per Foxes of Leicester.
