Chelsea are reportedly considering a player-plus-cash offer for Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana and could offer Ruben Loftus-Cheek as part of the deal.
According to Nathan Gissing, Chelsea are internally discussing a possible player-plus-cash move to convince Leicester City into selling Wesley Fofana. The Blues are thinking of including academy graduate and first-team midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a possible deal for the 21-year-old French defender.
Wesley Fofana has recently emerged as a top transfer target for Chelsea, who are desperately looking to add defensive reinforcements this summer. The Blues are short-staffed in the central defensive department and have so far only signed Kalidou Koulibaly to address the situation.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as free agents this summer, with Rudiger joining Real Madrid and Christensen moving to Barcelona. Chelsea could possibly lose more defenders, with Spanish duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso in the final year of their respective contracts and attracting interest from Barcelona.
The west London club went deep in the chase of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who ultimately joined Barcelona. Chelsea were also linked with the likes of Nathan Ake and Milan Skriniar, but none of their moves has materialised so far.
Chelsea have now turned their attention towards Fofana, who still has five years left on his contract with Leicester City. The Foxes do not intend to let the 21-year-old leave this summer, with some reports claiming they will only be convinced if a bid of around €100 million arrives for the French defender.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are hoping that a deal can be struck for around €60 million. But in case Leicester City reject their bid, they are pondering over a player-plus-cash deal to sign Fofana which would see academy graduate and first-team midfielder Loftus-Cheek move to the King Power Stadium.
The Blues are preparing an offer worth £40-45 million plus Loftus-Cheek in the hope that the Foxes will change their stance. PSG have also shown interest in the 21-year-old French defender, which could make things tricky for Chelsea.
