Wesley Fofana is keen to join Chelsea from Leicester City this summer.
The Frenchman has emerged as the Blues new No.1 centre-back target after missing out on Jules Kounde, who instead moved to Barcelona.
Kalidou Koulibaly has already signed for Thomas Tuchel’s men, who have been forced into a rebuild of their backline after losing both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s future is also in doubt, with the Spaniard keen to depart after over a decade at Stamford Bridge.
Fofana, still just 21, has established himself as one of the finest young defenders in the Premier League since arriving at the King Power Stadium in 2019 - despite missing much of last season with a broken leg.
Back to full fitness, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers has been preparing to build his side’s defence around the Frenchman this term.
But while Leicester are adamant that Fofana is going nowhere, Mirror Football understands that he has told Leicester that he wants to move to west London. Chelsea have similarly been encouraged by external parties that he wants to join.
And amid speculation, his social media activity on Tuesday dropped no shortage of hints over where he wants to be in 2022-23.
Having taken Leicester City out of his profile on both Twitter and Instagram, he also posted a cryptic French quote on Instagram, which reads: “My father told me you're going to annoy a lot of people when you start doing what's best for you and I've begun to realise it.”
Leicester are also fighting to keep hold of James Maddison, amid interest from Newcastle United.
The Magpies have already seen two bids - firstly at £40million and then £45million - knocked back by the Foxes. Leicester are understood to be wanting in excess of £80million to part with Maddison, 25, who scored 18 times in all competitions last term.
Rodgers is desperate to keep hold of Maddison, who has only one England cap to his name - a 17-minute cameo against Montenegro in 2019 - something his manager has described as “a real shame”.
“We’ve seen it over the years with plenty of different English players who haven’t gone on to make the appearances,” says Rodgers. “But when I see James Maddison every day, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with world class players during my time at Chelsea and Liverpool, I can only tell you the joy when I come here every day and see him training to see the level he’s at and see his enthusiasm for the game.
“He’s an absolute joy to work with and it’s such a shame that he hasn’t had the chance to show that at the very highest level.”
