Chelsea pull out of Fofana deal: Five players they could sign now

Robin Bairner

24 Aug 2022 08:38 BST
3 min read

Wesley Fofana, Leicester, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Chelsea have pulled out of a deal to sign Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana after having had a third bid for the player knocked back.

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The Blues have decided to pursue other targets before the close of the summer transfer window, according to The Sun, having had a bid worth in excess of £70 million rejected by the Foxes.

Chelsea are said to have grown frustrated with Leicester’s attitude, with their Premier League rivals holding out for £85m, which would equal the world record for a defender.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Tuesday that a bid had been knocked back.

“There was an offer gone in and it's been rejected,” he said. “Apart from that, I'm not 100 per cent on the other details, because we were focusing on the game.”

Now Chelsea appear to have stepped back from negotiations, so could they possibly target in the last week of the transfer window?

Harry Maguire – Man Utd

Dumped to the bench by manager Erik ten Hag for Monday’s match against Liverpool, Maguire could well be on his way out of Man Utd should a suitable bid arrive. Any deal, though, is complicated by a lack of depth that United have in this area of the field, having allowed Eric Bailly to leave Marseille. Maguire may be Man Utd club captain, but he’s not at the forefront of Ten Hag’s project.

Presnel Kimpembe – PSG

Chelsea have already looked at the prospect of signing Presnel Kimpembe from PSG this summer. The left-sided defender has been a starting player for his club early this season, but the Ligue 1 champions are looking at alternative options in that area, which cold open the door to the France international leaving his formative club.

Milan Skriniar – Inter

The Blues could enter the race to sign Skriniar from Inter, with the centre-back having attracted attention from other clubs with just one year left on his deal with the Nerazzurri. However, the player’s close relationship with the San Siro outfit means that he will agree a new contract should he fail to secure a move this summer, so Inter are holding out for a big fee.

Mohamed Simakan – RB Leipzig

Another player who has been looked at by some leading clubs over the summer months, the 22-year-old Frenchman was a regular for Leipzig last season and quickly impressed following a move from Strasbourg. The ball-playing centre-back is capable of playing in the middle or right of the defence, and is a player with plenty of scope for improvement.

Wesley Fofana – Leicester

Yes, Chelsea might have pulled out of the race for him now, but it may not be the end of the story. Dramatic things can happen in the transfer window, and they may be hoping that the player will try to leverage a move further. After all, Fofana is presently training with their reserve team in a situation that does not suit anyone. Don’t be surprised if Chelsea come back with a fourth offer.