Chelsea are reportedly no nearer to securing deals for winger Anthony Gordon and defender Wesley Fofana.
Everton star Gordon is wanted at Stamford Bridge and the Blues have now seen an improved offer for the 21-year-old rejected. Chelsea have seen a £45m bid turned down, according to ESPN. That follows an initial £40m offer which Everton deemed below their asking price.
The Toffees are publicly insisting that the England Under-21 is not for sale after losing Richarlison earlier in the summer. But an offer in excess of £50m could give Everton officials a genuine headache.
Chelsea must now decide whether to return with another offer or walk away and pursue other targets.
Chelsea could try and sweeten the deal by offering a number of players in part-exchange.
Strikers Armando Broja and Michy Batshuayi have been mentioned, while Frank Lampard is a big admirer of Billy Gilmour.
Thomas Tuchel is also looking to add depth to a defence which wad decimated over the summer.
Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella have been added to the squad, but Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana is in their sights.
And the 21-year-old centre-back is becoming “increasingly frustrated” at Leicester’s stance, claim Sky Sports.
Chelsea are believed to have seen two bids of £60m and £65m, which have both been rejected by Leicester. The Foxes are chasing more than the £80m they sold Harry Maguire for to Manchester United in 2019.
Fofana ‘unhappy’ as Chelsea hover
Fofana is “unhappy” at that stance and has led him into thinking that he is being priced out of a move.
The 21-year-old centre-back wants to play in the Champions League and to follow in the footsteps of Didier Drogba. Drogba was an icon at Marseille – Fofana’s hometown club.
Leicester boss Brendan Rogers made clear Leicester are “not looking to sell” Fofana: “Naturally, if there is interest from another club, that is looked at by the club.
“He’s a top young defender and there are not too many around his age. 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.”
Although not yet capped by France, Fofana is a fantastic prospect. He has played the full 90 minutes in both Leicester’s first two games and he has over 50 appearances to his name for Leicester.
Despite his modest aerial ability, it is his interception and ball recovery skills that Tuchel will have been impressed by. He is also very able one-one-one defender and a deal that Chelsea should look to get over the line.