Leicester City have a good idea of who they could replace Wesley Fofana with if he joins Chelsea, after reports revealed a long-running interest in another French-born defender, Abdou Diallo.
Fofana has been pursued intensely by Chelsea this summer. Leicester put their faith in him with a long-term contract earlier this year, but they have had to resist serious pressure from Chelsea to take him since.
Now, there is a feeling that Leicester’s stance is softening and they may finally relent in their efforts to keep Fofana. A new bid from Chelsea might yet be successful.
In that event, Leicester would have to enter the market themselves. They have not spent at all this summer; their only arrival has been backup goalkeeper Alex Smithies on a free transfer.
Losing Fofana, though, may finally force them to spend. Although they are having to be clever with their finances at present, a new arrival to replace the Frenchman would be necessary.
In that regard, Media Foot are linking them with a move for Paris Saint-Germain centre-back, Abdou Diall
Diallo is effectively fourth choice in the French capital. PSG boss Christophe Galtier may prefer to use Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos and Presnel Kimpembe instead of him.
With that in mind, PSG already sanctioned the departure of one defender to a Premier League club recently. Thilo Kehrer signed for West Ham, with whom Diallo was also linked.
Now, Senegal international Diallo – who represented his country of birth, France, up to under-21 level – is at his own crossroads. According to Media Foot, Leicester have been scouting him for a couple of years. Therefore, a potential bid for him would not be a panic buy in the wake of a Fofana exit.
Still, it is something they would have to rush through given the lack of time remaining in the transfer window. They are yet to make a concrete move, but could accelerate in the event of Fofana leaving.
Leicester will also have to be wary of competition from elsewhere for Diallo. In addition to West Ham, the 26-year-old has attracted Jose Mourinho’s Roma. AC Milan were also keen earlier in the summer but have cooled their interest.
Leicester would be hoping their extensive work on Diallo could pay off, though. As a left-footed defender, he would bring balance to their backline.
His experience of the European stage – from which Leicester are absent this season – with PSG also shows his pedigree, which would be beneficial.
He will also cost much less than Fofana, although his exact valuation is unclear at this moment in time. Still, he could be a feasible option for the parameters under which the Foxes are working.
