Why Harry Maguire is making Chelsea hesitant over key summer transfer
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 11 Aug 2022 08:30 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea are interested in signing Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana and are happy to return with a third bid for the defender that could be worth about £80 million.
The Blues bid £70 million for the Frenchman last week and saw it rejected, but are looking to bring in Fofana in a bid to improve their defensive line.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are reportedly obsessed with the idea of signing Fofana and have made him their priority target for the rest of the summer window according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
However, there will be one factor holding them back, and that is the reaction to Manchester United’s signing of Harry Maguire back in 2019.
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That year, Maguire moved to the Red Devils from Leicester for a £80 million fee, making him the most expensive defender in world football, and that wasn’t received well by many fans.
Chelsea are reluctant to make such a mistake, especially for a younger player who isn’t as experienced and suffered a long-term injury at the start of last season.
Leicester are holding firm as they look for an irrefutable fee for the defender – Fofana is keen on a move but the Foxes want the biggest deal possible for the player.
Big week as Chelsea pursue Frenkie de Jong and Wesley Fofana. Clarity on FDJ future expected within the next 48 hours. FDJ still doesn’t want to take a pay cut opening the door to #CFC. #MUFC have all but given up.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 10, 2022
As a result, the Blues are open to selling players as they pursue the signing of Fofana as well as other key targets such as Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Over the summer, Chelsea have already made two bids for Fofana and have seen them rejected, but it seems likely they will continue to pursue and may even make more offers if they are so eager to get their man.
Fofana has been at Leicester since 2020-21, and had a solid first season with the club, before injury hampered his second campaign at the King Power Stadium.
He has made only 51 appearances for the club, but Chelsea are keen on his potential and think he can become amongst Europe’s best should they sign him.
