Chelsea are Leicester City are reportedly £10m apart in their valuation of centre-back Wesley Fofana.
Following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, the Blues have identified Fofana as one of their primary centre-back targets for the remainder of the summer window.
Chelsea are understood to have already seen two bids for the 21-year-old rejected by Leicester, with their latest offer valued in excess of £70m.
Both clubs remain in negotiations over a deal for Fofana, but the Independent claims that the West Londoners are £10m short of Leicester's valuation, which is believed to be £85m.
The report adds that Chelsea are preparing a third offer for the Frenchman, and although the Foxes insist that the defender is not for sale, they may be forced to cash in due to their financial situation.
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Following two difficult financial years for Leicester's Thai owners as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it is understood that the sale of either Fofana or key attacker James Maddison is likely this summer to help balance their books.
The Independent suggests that the Foxes could lower their asking price for Fofana to £80m, while a £60m bid may be enough to prise Newcastle United target Maddison away from the King Power Stadium.
With Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and summer recruit Kalidou Koulibaly all over the age of 30, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted that he is looking to bolster his squad with a younger defender amid interest in Fofana.
"It is a lot of experience, it is maybe another of age, it is a lot of experience and they have their quality and they know what they are doing," Tuchel told reporters following their 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
"We also need to make sure we have a new generation to take over in the next years, but the guys are strong. That is why they are under contract and the guys have our trust.
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"There needs to be [balance]. I think it is necessary. The game in general is very physical and demands a lot. This is the situation. We knew it before.
"Azpi is the legend that he is, Thiago is in the moment still very important to us and when we had the chance to sign Kalidou we did it because we believe that he has some years ahead of him.
"But in general it is the fact that like the goalkeeper and the double sixes are in their thirties, and that is just what it is. Pace is an issue and speed is an issue. In all signings, this is the demand of the game that you can play one on ones, that you can defend space if needed with high-speed runs."
Fofana, who still has five years remaining on his Leicester contract, was restricted to just 12 appearances across all competitions last season due to a long-term knee injury.
The Frenchman established himself as a first-team regular in the previous campaign – his first for the club after joining from Saint-Etienne – and played 38 times in all tournaments at the heart of Brendan Rodgers's defence.
Oliver Thomas
