Wesley Fofana has ended speculation over his immediate future by signing a new long-term contract at Leicester City.
Signed for £30million from Saint Etienne in October 2020, the central defender quickly adjusted to the Premier League, enjoying a superb maiden season.
His form in the English top flight naturally brought about links with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Manchester United.
The Red Devils’ need for a high quality centre-back remains pertinent despite spending an eye-watering £174m on central defenders since 2016.
Club record signing Harry Maguire has come in for particular criticism in recent weeks, with suggestions his ability is being questioned by teammates on the training pitch.
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Fofana, 21, has also previously hinted he would be open to a move to Old Trafford, revealing his affection for the Premier League giants.
“A club that makes me dream? There’s Marseille, Real Madrid, Barca ( Barcelona )," the Foxes star told Actufoot.
"In the Premier League, there are Chelsea, (Manchester) United, (Manchester) City… But you have to work to make your dreams come true. Through work, you can achieve anything."
But in the short term, Fofana will now continue plying his trade in the East Midlands at a club he feels a debt of gratitude towards.
“I’m really happy to sign a new contract,” he told Leicester’s media team. “It shows the club have confidence in me offering me a contract to 2027.
“I’m really happy to be here. It’s my club, I love the fans, so I’m really happy and really looking forward to being back playing.
“I love everything about the club. I love the city, I love the fans. It’s a family which is what I love the most. Everyone is close and gets on well. We also have a great team and are continuing to progress, with a desire to win more trophies.
“That’s why I have committed my future to the club until 2027. I want to achieve more with the club. There is a lot of talent here and still a lot more we can do together.”
Fofana has been out since July after suffering a serious knee injury in preseason, in his absence, Leicester have struggled to hit the heights of previous seasons.
But with the potential of the Frenchman returning later this week, manager Brendan Rodgers is convinced they will go to the next level.
"When he came out of the team, with all due respect, it was a massive loss for us because of the nature of how we play, defending forward, anticipating, speed, but also mentality,” Rodgers explained.
"The other guys have filled in manfully and done the best they can, but you've seen with the likes of Liverpool when they are missing Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip.
"When we have him back in, then it's another dimension to the team back again and a step back towards where we want to go.”
