Chelsea defender options after Wesley Fofana injury

• Chelsea has seen its first-team defender Wesley Fofana surfer an ACL injury
• The defender is expected to undergo surgery and will take a long time to make a comeback to the field
• The Blues are now contemplating signing a new defender with Harry Maguire an option

Chelsea is contemplating a move for Harry Maguire following the unfortunate loss of Wesley Fofana to a cruciate ligament injury. With less than a month remaining before the new Premier League season commences, Mauricio Pochettino’s team has been dealt a severe blow, as the French centre-back Fofana underwent “reconstructive surgery” on his ACL. This setback is expected to sideline Fofana for the majority of the 2023/24 season.

Having already allowed Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta to depart the club during the summer transfer window, Chelsea is now expeditiously evaluating their defensive options for reinforcements.

READ: Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana surfers ACL injury to undergo injury

Among the potential candidates, former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has emerged as an option. Chelsea has initiated inquiries into Maguire’s current situation at Old Trafford. The club’s scouting department views the England international as one of the top available options in the transfer market.

Chelsea is contemplating signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after losing Wesley Fofana to an ACL injury. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

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Maguire’s manager at Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, has conveyed the club’s willingness to sell him this summer. The defender, who had previously captained the team, had the captain’s armband taken away under Ten Hag’s management. This change in status, coupled with sporadic appearances since the arrival of the manager last summer, has cast doubts on Maguire’s long-term future at the club.

The 30-year-old has been assessing his options, with potential interest from West Ham, Newcastle, and Serie A giants Inter and Juventus. However, a potential move to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea might hold the most appeal for Maguire this summer.

According to reports by 90min, Manchester United would prefer an outright sale of Maguire. However, they are also open to the possibility of letting him go on loan to Chelsea. The Blues have the financial capacity to cover the player’s wages in full, which could be a determining factor as other clubs may not be able to offer such financial terms.

For Chelsea, securing a player of Maguire’s calibre would bolster their defensive line and help compensate for the loss of Fofana due to his injury. The club’s pursuit of a strong centre-back highlights their determination to compete at the highest level and fortify their squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

As the transfer window progresses, Chelsea’s interest in Maguire is sure to generate further discussions and negotiations. The final decision lies with Manchester United, and their willingness to negotiate a transfer or loan deal with Chelsea will significantly impact Maguire’s potential move to Stamford Bridge. Fans and football enthusiasts alike will closely monitor these developments as the start of the new season approaches.