Chelsea have resumed contact with the agents of Leicester City star Wesley Fofana over a potential summer transfer for the reported Newcastle United target, as per Foot Mercato.
Thomas Tuchel’s side explored poaching Fofana from the Foxes in the last window, but an injury blocked any move. The 20-year-old sustained medial knee ligament damage during a pre-season friendly with Villarreal in August that is likely to sideline him into the New Year.
Fofana put a number of top European clubs on alert to his potential after a sublime debut season with Leicester. Like Chelsea, Real Madrid contacted his agent during the off-season, while Manchester United are monitoring the French defender’s progress closely.
Chelsea have now resumed their contact with Fofana’s entourage to set some groundwork for a summer 2022 transfer. But Newcastle’s new Saudi-led owners are also interested.
That’s according to RMC Sport, who recently claimed the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund also spoke with Fofana’s representatives to discuss leaving Leicester for Newcastle.
Fofana fast became a priority for the PIF, who informed Leicester that Newcastle may make an offer if the centre-back overcomes his injury in time to complete a transfer next January.
But Newcastle or Chelsea could face an astronomical transfer fee to lure Fofana away from Leicester. That’s because Foot Mercato add his age and a contract running to 2025 may see the Foxes demand a similar sum to the £80m Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire.
Should Newcastle sign Fofana from Leicester in a January transfer?
Newcastle may take a risk by making Leicester an offer to beat Chelsea to a transfer for Fofana in January. He will not have played in almost four-months, and could lack fitness.
But the France U21 star – who the Foxes signed from Saint-Etienne last year for £36.5m – showed promise last term. Instantly adapting to the Premier League and quickly proving to be a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
He went toe-to-toe with the league’s best strikers and often came out on top. The £19k-a-week defender also shone in the FA Cup final, with his positioning, challenges and reading of the game superb. Silencing Chelsea’s Timo Werner as Leicester won at Wembley in May.
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