Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea are continuing to insist that signing Wesley Fofana is their ‘priority’ amid interest in Harry Maguire.
Chelsea have searched far and wide in an attempt to bolster their defence this summer.
This was important after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departed the club on free transfers to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
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The Blues have already spent big to sign Kalidou Koulibaly, but they want to sign one more centre-back before the transfer window closes on September 1.
They are known to be admirers of Leicester City’s Fofana, who is arguably one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.
The Frenchman was not involved as Leicester fell to defeat at home against Southampton on Saturday.
Speaking after his side’s defeat, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers suggested that Fofana did not play as he was not in the “right frame of mind”:
“Very disappointed with the result,” Leicester boss Rodgers said post-match.
“We hope to make improvements from the last time we were here (against Brentford) in terms of managing the lead better and unfortunately we were unable to do that.
“I thought we started the game over so well and I think as soon as we went in front I think we showed a little bit of maybe that feeling where we’re at, maybe as a team and as a club, that desperation to get the result.
“Then we stopped doing what we’ve been really, really good at in that opening hour.
“In terms of Wesley, just a young player who is not quite in the right frame of mind at the moment to play.
“A lot going on behind the scenes, which I understand. It’s a difficult moment for him.
“He’s a good kid, he’s been great for us whilst he’s been here and at this moment it’s a difficult one for him.
“You can’t afford that… certainly playing a Premier League game if you’re not 100 per cent fully focused.”
Fofana’s £85m price tag is proving to be a stumbling block as things stand, so Chelsea also have their eye on alternative targets.
Earlier this week, out of nowhere, it was suggested that they have ‘made an enquiry’ for Man Utd captain Maguire.
This is especially strange given the defender’s dire form for United over the past year.
Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on Chelsea’s attempts to sign a new defender.
The Blues are remaining tight-lipped as the ‘only…
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