Brendan Rodgers insists James Maddison and Wesley Fofana will be staying at Leicester
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Brendan Rodgers insists Leicester’s star duo Wesley Fofana and James Maddison are NOT for sale after rejecting bids worth a total of £100MILLION for the pair from Chelsea and Newcastle
- Newcastle had a bid of over £40m for James Maddison rejected by Leicester
- Leicester have also had offers from Chelsea for centre-back Wesley Fofana
- Brendan Rodgers says Leicester have no reason to sell either player
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Wesley Fofana is ‘flattered’ by interest from Chelsea, says Leiceser manager Brendan Rodgers as the London club prepare a second bid for the club’s star defender.
The Blues will likely have to put together a world-record package for Leicester to consider selling Fofana, 21, who signed a new five-year deal in March, as they continue to insist he is not for sale. That would mean a fee to eclipse the £80million Manchester United paid the Foxes for Harry Maguire three years ago.
As well as Fofana, Leicester have rejected two bids from Newcastle for playmaker James Maddison, who is valued at about £60m.
Leciester manager Brendan Rodgers insists Wesley Fofana and James Maddison aren’t for sale
Asked about the pair’s reaction to the interest in them, boss Rodgers said: ‘I have spoken to both of them at length. They were flattered. It’s no surprise to me there is interest in him, and James is developing into one of the top players in the Premier League.
‘They need help. They have so many voices in their ears, given all the noise around it. It is important I make sure they are focused on football and enjoying the spirit of the training ground.
‘The minute they leave training, I am sure there will be agents and every Tom, Dick and Harry trying to get hold to them.
Newcastle have made an improved club-record offer for the transfer of James Maddison
‘I have close relations with both and speak openly with them. Wesley is a fantastic young guy.’
Rodgers says they won’t be going anywhere, adding: ‘ Fofana and Maddison are not for sale. Rodgers said during a press conference on Friday. These are very important players to us’.
‘We’re in a situation where we need to move some players out but that doesn’t mean getting rid of anyone, our best assets’.
Maddison has less than two years remaining on his contract at Leicester. He finished last season on a high, scoring in each of the final four league matches and ending with 18 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
Leicester defender Wesley Fofana is a target for Chelsea as they undergo a defensive reshuffle
Meanwhile, Chelsea are willing to offer Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana a staggering £200,000-a-week wages to join, should the Foxes agree to sell.
The 21-year-old has been a target for the Blues, as the club undergoes a major defensive reshuffle after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers this summer.
However, Leicester do not wish to sell the French youth international for less than £85million – which would be a world record for a defender.