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Wesley Fofana 'unhappy with Leicester City over transfer stance'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 August 2022

Wesley Fofana 'unhappy with Leicester over transfer stance'

Leicester City's Wesley Fofana is reportedly unhappy with the club's stance over his future as the Foxes demand a world-record fee from Chelsea to sell the 21-year-old.

Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana has reportedly been left unhappy with the Foxes for their refusal to sanction his exit for Chelsea.

The 21-year-old is believed to have already been the subject of two bids from the Blues, who are determined to make him their latest marquee signing.

One of the offers would supposedly have pocketed Leicester more than £70m, but Brendan Rodgers's side have rejected Chelsea's advances and are determined to keep hold of Fofana.

If the Foxes were to allow the Frenchman to leave, it could take a world-record fee for a defender to prise him away from the King Power Stadium in the current window.

Harry Maguire's £80m switch from Leicester to Manchester United is the current record-holder in that category, and Chelsea could go as high as £85m to land their priority target.

Leicester City's Wesley Fofana celebrates winning the FA Cup, May 15, 2021 © Reuters

According to Sky Sports News, Fofana has not been pleased with the way that Leicester have handled the saga, as he feels the Foxes are pricing him out of a move to Thomas Tuchel's side.

The report adds that the former Saint-Etienne starlet is becoming 'increasingly unsettled' at the King Power, as he initially thought that Leicester would entertain reasonable bids for his services.

Fofana is understood to be desperate to play in the Champions League and give himself the best possible chance of making the France squad for the 2022 World Cup, and the Blues would be able to offer him the chance to feature in Europe's top tournament.

Leicester are not in a position where they would be forced to let Fofana go on the cheap, though, as the centre-back only extended his contract at the King Power Stadium until 2027 back in March.

The 6ft 3in centre-back remains a key unit of the Foxes backline amid the ongoing speculation and played the full 90 in his side's 2-2 draw with Brentford and subsequent 4-2 defeat to Arsenal.

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

Foxes boss Rodgers has admitted that Fofana has acknowledged the interest in his services, but he has also advised the youngster to remain at Leicester for the good of his development.

"Naturally, if there is interest from another club, that is looked at by the club. He's a top young defender and there are not too many around his age," Rodgers told the press after Saturday's loss to Arsenal.

"Another year here for him at least would be really important for his development, but he is quite calm and relaxed in the situation. He is aware of the interest. He understands where we are as a club and where we see him."

Fofana's fledgling career was hampered by a fibula fracture last summer, but he has nevertheless managed to record one goal and one assist in 52 outings for Leicester in all tournaments.

Chelsea have already reinforced their backline by bringing in Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, the former of whom scored his first goal for the club in Sunday's 2-2 draw with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

During that fiery capital derby at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel and Antonio Conte squared up on more than one occasion, and both managers have now been hit with an improper conduct charge by the FA.