EPL: Chelsea keeping tabs on three defenders after missing out on Kounde

Chelsea are continuing talks with Leicester over signing defender Wesley Fofana after Jules Kounde snubbed a move to Stamford Bridge to sign for Barcelona earlier this week.

The Blues are believed to be prepared to offer players as part of a deal in a bid to lure the 21-year-old away from the King Power Stadium. However, Leicester do not wish to sell the French youth international for less than £85million.

Jules Kounde was a Chelsea target but ended up signing for Barcelona earlier last week

After spending most of last season out injured, Fofana signed a five-year contract with the Foxes in March, and Brendan Rodgers is reportedly not interesting in letting the young prospect leave without garnering a significant fee.

Fofana joined Leicester in 2020 for £36.5million after enjoying a breakout season in Ligue 1 with Saint Etienne.

In his maiden season in Leicestershire, Fofana established himself as a key part of Brendan Rodgers’ side, making 28 appearances in the Premier League as Leicester narrowly missed out on Champions League football.

The Blues are also said to be interested in Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries

After returning from injury earlier this season, Rodgers said: ‘He’s got the speed, he’s dominant and competitive and that’s so important. Some players have the physicality but they don’t necessarily use it.

‘He’s aggressive, he defends forward and once he’s got the positioning he’ll go on to be one of the leading centre-halves in football, I’ve got absolutely no question about that.’ Rodgers added.

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If a deal cannot be struck for Fofana, Thomas Tuchel is also said to be interested in signing Inter Milan defenders Denzel Dumfries and Milan Skriniar.

Both Dumfries and Skriniar featured in Inter’s Coppa Italia win over Juventus in May, as the Nerazzurri lifted the Italy’s domestic cup for the first time in over a decade.

Meanwhile Leicester are still yet to make a signing this summer, despite their squad attracting significant interest from elsewhere.