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Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Catterson-Reid

Chelsea can sign their very own Virgil van Dijk if Todd Boehly completes £68m transfer

Chelsea could sign their very own Virgil van Dijk in Wesley Fofana if Jamie Redknapp's verdict on the Frenchman is to be believed.

The Blues have lost centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger to Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively, this summer, considerably tweaking Thomas Tuchel's backline ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. So far, Senegal star Kalidou Koulibaly is the only defensive reinforcement to arrive at Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window but football.london understands that the west Londoners are now considering making a move for Leicester City centre-half Wesley Fofana, with contact to the former Saint Etienne man's entourage expected to be made in the coming days.

Fofana, who has a contract with the Foxes until the summer of 2027, has established himself as one of the Premier League's most promising young defenders since joining from Les Verts two years ago - earning himself comparisons to Liverpool stalwart van Dijk and Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand in the process.

READ MORE: Kounde latest, Dumfries plan and the transfer business Chelsea must complete before Everton

Speaking about the 21-year-old to Sky Sports earlier this year, former Reds midfielder Redknapp said: "Fofana is one of those when you see a Rio Ferdinand coming through, a Virgil Van Dijk, he is in that quality. He is a great athlete, a great footballer, he can play for any club he wants to in the future, he is an exceptional talent.”

Redknapp has also previously tipped the France Under-21 international - who is valued by the Foxes at €80 million (£68.4million) according to RMC Sport - to become the world's most expensive defender when he does leave Leicester, claiming that he will cost more than the £80 million Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire back in 2019.

“Harry Maguire was the most expensive defender. I’d be amazed if Fofana doesn’t break that record in a few years, he’s that good,” he told Sky Sports last year.

“Leicester fans won’t want to hear it because they want to keep him. We’ve had some brilliant defenders [in the Premier League], Rio Ferdinand, Vincent Kompany. Virgil van Dijk is the number one now when he’s fit again.

“But this young man is going to be the best in a few years, the best in Europe. He’s so assured, so confident, so commanding. I’m a massive fan.”

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Four Chelsea stars with a point to prove vs Udinese as Todd Boehly weighs up £40m transfer

Denzel Dumfries, Jules Kounde and Chelsea stars left in limbo as wait for third transfer continues

Chelsea eye Jules Kounde and Presnel Kimpembe alternative after double defender transfer problem

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