Chelsea set to break bank to sign €40m-rated French centre-back

Chelsea are closing in on top defensive target Wesley Fofana, with Leicester City ready to loosen their stance for a fee closer to €100m.

Brendan Rodgers used the pre-match press conference this week to reiterate his desire to keep U21 France international at King Power Stadium.

The Foxes took a firm stance regarding Fofana, stating they were uninterested in letting him depart in this window. The Blues have been negotiating with Leicester City for Wesley for a few weeks now but have been unable to find a breakthrough in negotiations.

The Foxes even rejected their latest bid worth £70m, but Chelsea stay interested in bringing the 21-year-old defender at all costs. The Blues were prepared to pay over £80m to land him. If such a bid gets accepted, it will break the transfer record for a defender, which currently stands at the £80m Man United paid the Foxes for Maguire.

The report insists the Blues are getting closer to finding an agreement with the Foxes, with fees of over £84m being discussed. Leicester City could relax their stance on Fofana if they are to receive such a massive figure. Wesley has been keen to join the Blues ever since their interest became apparent.

The French centre-back will be eager for this saga to end and begin a new chapter at Chelsea. His arrival could allow the German coach to focus on attacking reinforcements as a new centre-forward is needed at Chelsea.