After weeks and weeks of negotiations, Chelsea look to have won their most recent transfer pursuit. According to several reliable sources, the Premier League giants have agreed a deal for one of the most highly-rated defenders in the English top-flight.
That man is none other than Wesley Fofana, the French center-back who currently plays for Leicester – though his days at the King Power Stadium appear numbered. The likes of Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports and the popular Fabrizio Romano tweeted that after a number of rejected bids, the two clubs finally came to an agreement on Friday.
Chelsea and Leicester are now on the verge of reaching full agreement for Wesley Fofana, confirmed as @FabriceHawkins reported. Final details then here we go. #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2022
New bid submitted today following Chelsea plan called on Thursday.
Personal terms agreed weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/3XQ0Dz0I2F
Ironically, this deal was reached the night before the two teams face off in the Premier League as Thomas Tuchel's men are set to host the Foxes in an interesting showdown on Saturday. Fofana will play no part in that game, nor was he even in the manager's plan, as the former Saint-Etienne talent was pushing for a move to Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old has agreed to a six-year deal that will bring him to—and keep him at—Chelsea until 2028. However, this was not the stumbling block as the player had agreed personal terms with the club a while back.
Leicester weren't keen on letting the defender go for cheap and were demanding a world-record £85M ($100M) fee. While Chelsea did not agree to make Fofana the world's most expensive defender in history, the deal in place could potentially see him claim that title from Harry Maguire.
An initial fee of £70M ($82M) will be forked out, which already makes him the third-most expensive defender in history. However, there are opposing views in regards to the add-ons, with some journalists claiming that this deal could possibly surpass the amount Man United paid for Maguire while others report that the limit is £75M ($88M).
Told Chelsea have reached an agreement with Leicester for Wesley Fofana. Fee is said to be £70m but bonuses could turn it into a world record fee for a defender. #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 26, 2022
Most expensive defenders in world football
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 27, 2022
Harry Maguire - £80M
Virgil van Dijk - £75M
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Lucas Hernandez - £68M
Matthijs de Ligt - £68M pic.twitter.com/GKZFw4rZbu
Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Leicester over a fee for Wesley Fofana pic.twitter.com/jMQCqRnCaQ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 27, 2022
Nonetheless, it is yet another expensive defensive acquisition for Tuchel and Co. as they look to spark life back into their campaign. The Blues have won only one of their opening three games of the season, and that was their drab 1-0 victory over Everton in the opening round, drawing 2-2 with Tottenham and losing 3-0 away to Leeds since. As mentioned earlier, next up for them is a showdown with Leicester, which is a must-win fixture for the London giants.