Chelsea turn attention to Leicester City’s dependable centre-back to beef up squad

Chelsea are plotting an audacious move to sign Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana this summer.

The defender signed a new two-year deal at the King Power last March, but that would not stop him signing for Chelsea if they can meet Leicester’s asking price.

Chelsea have already signed Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling, but have missed out on some of their summer transfer targets and have had to turn attention to some alternatives.

The Blues have lost the likes of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, while Barcelona are publicly chasing César Azpilicueta.

The experienced defender triggered his extension at Stamford Bridge but has also hinted that he might want to go back to Spain.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel recently said he thought he valued Azpilicueta more than Barcelona do.

‘I’m not sure I want to give Azpilicueta wants’

He said: “It’s a tough question because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants.

“At some point it is about what we want. I just made a comparison about how much we fought for Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age.

“He is a hugely important player for Napoli but we have a Spanish international who is the captain at Chelsea.

“I see him maybe at the same level but Barcelona don’t see him on that level.

“So I am not sure if I want to give him what he wants as he is a huge player. 

“We don’t think so much about other clubs.

“The focus is on us and what we need. I said that to him and I say it to you that I understand on a personal and a career level.

“But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants. I am a manager for Chelsea who wants to do what’s best for Chelsea.

“He doesn’t like it but he understands. It is tough for him because the other club is permanently on him. On September 1 when things calm down, then he can play on his highest level.”