Leicester have done 'good business' over £80m star at King Power

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Josh Holland believes it was a smart decision from Leicester City to extend France U20 centre-back Wesley Fofana's contract amid interest from Chelsea.

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Leicester City’s decision to extend Wesley Fofana’s contract was a smart decision by the club amid current interest from Chelsea, according to Midlands journalist Josh Holland.

Chelsea had initially shown an interest in the 21-year-old centre-back earlier in the year, after the France U21 international had impressed in his first two seasons at the club, despite a fibula fracture last August ruling him out for much of the season.

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What’s the latest on Fofana?

Fofana penned a new deal with the Foxes in March amid interest from Chelsea, securing his future at the King Power Stadium until 2027.

Holland believes that the club’s decision to secure the youngster’s future back in March was a smart one, with the club now able to demand a higher fee for a player who they bought for a rumoured £30m back in 2020.

What has Holland said about Fofana?

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think it's good business by Leicester having him extend his contract, and now having suitors like Chelsea with talk of £80m.

“If they get £80m for him and they're not going to complain.

“I think they paid off around £30m for him so on the business side it's obviously good to hear, but I don't feel on the football side it’s best thing to do to sell Fofana.”

Will Fofana stay at Leicester

It’s clear to see why some of the Premier League’s biggest sides are interested in Fofana, as top-level defenders at the age of 21 don’t grow on trees.

After his long-term injury, the £36m-rated starlet returned to make 12 appearances for Rodgers’ side in both the Premier League and UEFA Europa Conference League last season according to FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

Not only is he an exceptional defender, but he is also a competent passer of the ball, an integral part of being a modern day centre-back, and he ranks in the top 10% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for passes attempted per 90 minutes (72.00) according to FBref.

An average SofaScore rating of 6.97 for the Frenchman’s Premier League performances last season suggests that when called upon towards the end of the campaign, he was able to put in competent performances at the heart of the Foxes defence.

Whilst Fofana would likely be an excellent addition to any top-level side, it is difficult to see Chelsea forking out £68m for a centre-back who only returned to regular football at the back end of last season.