Chelsea have 'held talks this week' over £70m star at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have been holding ‘conversations’ over whether they will be able to tempt Leicester City into sanctioning Wesley Fofana’s move to Stamford Bridge this week, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Blues have already added Kalidou Koulibaly to their defensive options after a £33million deal was struck with Napoli, but it appears that head coach Thomas Tuchel is keen to bolster his backline further.

Accorded to respected French journalist Ignazio Genuardi, Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Fofana ahead of a potential move to west London.

However, Genuardi has revealed that Leicester have rejected the Blues’ opening offer, meaning they have had to return to the drawing board.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has previously claimed that Tuchel is a huge admirer of Fofana and would ‘love’ to link up with the Frenchman at Stamford Bridge.

But Chelsea will have to splash the cash for the central defender as it is understood that Leicester will not entertain any bids which fall below the £70million mark.

Although it has emerged that Fofana’s current employers need to offload some of their biggest earners before recruiting fresh faces, the fact he has three years remaining on his £51,000-per-week contract at the King Power Stadium means the Foxes are in a strong negotiating position.

Jones understands that Chelsea have been holding behind the scenes discussions over Fofana in the last few days.

However, the transfer insider warns that Leicester’s asking price could result in it being difficult to conclude a deal before the September 1 deadline.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s definitely one that they are looking at. Conversations have taken place this week about whether the transfer is possible or not.

“I think a