Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers denies Wesley Fofana “farewell signal” amidst Chelsea links
Manager Brendan Rodgers set aside claims stating Chelsea target Wesley Fofana bid adieu to Leicester City’s travelling fans at The Emirates Stadium following their 4-2 defeat to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.
There were a few suggestions stating Fofana was waving to the fans saying goodbye but the Leicester manager denied anything of that sort in his post-match conference. (h/t Metro)
The 21-year-old Frenchman has been the subject of two unsuccessful bids from the Blues earlier in the Transfer Window, but Chelsea are still hoping for the deal to get through. Chelsea are reportedly bidding the third time, a fee around £80m which is what Leicester have valued Fofana at.
It was recently stated that Fofana had already agreed personal terms with the Fulham-based outfit. With Fofana appearing to bid farewell to his fans, the transfer window for Chelsea might see a new incoming.
Fofana was the first to walk towards the away fans and started clapping for them before the rest of his teammates joined. Rodgers, when prompted about what appeared to be Fofana waving a good-bye to his fans, had the following to say:
“No, I think he was giving the fans a clap. I didn’t see a farewell clap. But you need to write what you need to write. That’s the story.”
Leicester’s manager has always asserted his stand of not wanting to sell the French defender. It appears that Rodgers has made his assertion clear to Fofana as well.
“Another year here for him at least would be really important for his development, but he is quite calm and relaxed in the situation. He is aware of the interest. He understands where we are as a club and where we see him.”
Fofana joined the Foxes in October 2020 from French outfit Saint-Etienne. He had a good consistent run of games, doing very well for Leicester leading the backline, until a Fibula fracture in the 2021 season saw him sidelined for seven months.
He won’t come cheap and teams would know Chelsea’s situation, whereby they have lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers this summer. In terms of incomings, they have only signed Kalidou Koulibaly while Thiago Silva isn’t getting any younger.
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With Fofana’s future uncertain and Chelsea’s backline not the youngest, they could well turn out to be a match made in heaven. The youngster can prove to be a vital cog in Thomas Tuchel’s side in the short as well as the long term.
However, it remains to be seen if any deal will come to fruition. Leicester have ambitions of their own and it is hard to imagine them selling one of their prized assets after the season has started, with just over two weeks left in the transfer window.