Reports suggest Chelsea are hesitant to meet Leicester City’s valuation of centre-back Wesley Fofana.
According to the Evening Standard, the club are wary of the criticism and pressures faced by Manchester United’s Harry Maguire due to the price they paid the Foxes for his services in 2019.
The Blues have seemingly isolated Fofana as their sole defensive target for the time being, in an attempt to finish a busy transfer window on a strong note.
They have already acquired Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella to play at the back, replacing the services lost from the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
However, with loan deals either already completed or nearly done for Levi Colwill and Malang Sarr respectively, they are in need of bringing in another option to play at the back, especially if Thomas Tuchel looks to push on with the three at the back.
Chelsea wary of Maguire criticism
While Fofana is the priority target, the Evening Standard have claimed they are concerned with paying the £85m fee Leicester are demanding, due to it making him the world’s most expensive centre-back in history.
Maguire has been on the end of an outrageous amount of criticism from fans and pundits alike since his move to Manchester United, with his time as captain of the club coinciding with them playing some of their worst football in recent history.
With social media hate at an unfortunate all-time high, any big transfer will come under scrutiny online, and therefore almost certainly effect his confidence.
However, the club should have faith in Tuchel’s ability to develop him as a fantastic defender, and the impact of experienced current defenders Thiago Silva and Koulibaly sure to be fantastic role models for the young Frenchman to look up to,
While his price tag is likely to be high, the owners should acknowledge the potential he has to be one of the best defenders in the world, and is already proven in the Premier League.