10.1 C
London
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Brendan Rodgers responds to Wesley Fofana transfer request claims amid Chelsea interest

- Advertisement -

Brendan Rodgers has slapped down rumours that £80m-rated Wesley Fofana has put in a transfer request amid transfer interest from Chelsea.

The Blues have had two bids turned down and are ready to really test Leicester’s hand with a third offer well above the £63m tabled. But Foxes boss Rodgers insists that nothing has changed regarding the future of the 21-year-old defender, despite being heavily linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium.

Asked if there had been any more bids for the player, Rodgers said: “No, not currently at this moment – nothing new or changed.

“We’ve spoken numbers of times about the whole situation and of course it remains a private conversation. Our communication is normal, and we just continue to prepare for the games.”

Pressed on clearing up the speculation that Fofana had asked to leave, Rodgers said: “Yes, I can, He hasn’t.”

A number of reports have suggested that the centre-back is disappointed that the Foxes aren’t sanctioning his ‘dream’ move, where he would also compete in the Champions League. Rodgers said the speculation was unsettling and he would assess Fofana’s state of mind before picking his side to face Southampton on Saturday.

He added: “It’s a challenge for any player. There’s lots of speculation and lots of noise that goes on with it, and especially for a young player of just 21.”

Should Chelsea pay a world record transfer fee for Wesley Fofana this summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana in action against Brentford last Sunday
(
Getty Images)

Rodgers hopes he can hang on to the young star, with two weeks to go until the transfer window slams shut on September 1. The Northern Irishman added: “I don’t think so far ahead, the idea is he’s still very much a Leicester City player.

“I’ve said a number of times here he’s not for sale. The club made that clear unless anything changes on that I would expect him to be here.

“Mentally he is fine, but as you can imagine a 21-year-old with the spotlight on you, talking about what you maybe can earn at another club, where you can play, it’s a challenge, that’s the honest answer.”

Leicester have failed to win any of their first two matches, after letting a two-goal slip to draw with Brentford on the opening day, before losing 4-2 at Arsenal. Some fans suggest that is a must-win game for the Foxes, and if leaving Fofana out is better for the team, Rodgers will do it.

On leaving Fofana out if his mind was muddled, Rodgers added: “Yes, 100 per cent. We are not a team if the players aren’t totally focused or for whatever reason just aren’t in the right mindset, that won’t help us. We have to ensure everyone is really focused in order for us to play the best game we can.”

Read More

Read More

Source

Latest news
Related news