Chelsea are increasingly confident that Wesley Fofana will head to Stamford Bridge before the summer window slams shut, but the central defender could speed up the process by handing in a transfer request at Leicester City, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
The Blues have made an unbeaten start to the new season, having seen off Everton and clinched a point against Tottenham Hotspur, but head coach Thomas Tuchel may freshen up his squad ahead of the September 1 deadline.
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What's the latest news involving Fofana?
It appears that Fofana is becoming frustrated at Leicester as he reportedly believes his current employers are pricing him out of a move to Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has informed the Foxes of his desire to complete a switch to Stamford Bridge ahead of the transfer window slamming shut.
It comes after Chelsea have lodged two bids worth up to £70million, but Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed the proposals were ‘nowhere near what the club would consider’.
Tuchel's side will have to part with a world-record fee for a defender if they want to secure Fofana's services as it is understood that the King Power Stadium outfit are seeking £85million.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea, having identified the Frenchman as a priority target, are readying another proposal and have already agreed personal terms with Fofana.
What has Simon Phillips said about Fofana?
Phillips understands that Chelsea are becoming more positive over their hopes of luring Fofana to west London.
However, the journalist believes the former Saint-Etienne man will boost his chances of securing a switch to the Blues by handing in a transfer request at Leicester.
Phillips told GIVEMESPORT: "I still expect the fee to be agreed and there's a lot of optimism from the Chelsea sources that I speak to that Fofana will get done.
"I think it will help if he hands in a transfer request officially. I think he has pretty much done all but that at the moment, but he just needs to formally get that request in."
Would Fofana be a good signing for Chelsea?
Chelsea suffered a major blow in the summer when Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen headed to La Liga at the end of their respective contracts.
It left Chelsea short of options at the heart of the defence and - although Kalidou Koulibaly joined in a £33million switch from Napoli - Fofana would be an exciting, youthful addition.
Leicester chief Rodgers has described the five-cap France under-21 international as ‘an absolutely phenomenal talent’, emphasising that he is highly-rated.
Fofana has also enjoyed success at the King Power Stadium, having clinched the FA Cup, so he will be hungry to claim even more silverware if he completes a big-money move to Chelsea.