Barcelona offered Chelsea star in 'very advantageous' deal

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana in a surprise move this summer, according to reports in Spain.

The La Liga giants are reportedly looking to sign a new centre-back in the upcoming transfer window, with The Athletic reporting that the club’s primary target is Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni.

Barcelona are believed to be keen on signing a left-sided defender in order to allow teen sensation Pau Cubarsi to play in his preferred right-sided position in manager Hansi Flick’s back four.

However, The Athletic claim that while the Blaugrana believe Bastoni would like to move to the Spotify Camp Nou, Flick’s side may struggle to match the Italy international’s reported €80million (£69.2m) price tag.

And now Spanish publication SPORT are reporting that Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea ace Fofana instead, should they fail to stump up the cash to land Bastoni.

SPORT, citing Sky Sports in their report, claim Fofana’s representatives have contacted Barcelona sporting director Deco over the possibility of a permanent deal worth a reported €30m (£26m).

However, SPORT say that while Barcelona are considering what could be a “very advantageous” opportunity in the transfer market, they are leaning towards pursuing a loan deal for Fofana, if they were to firm up their interest.

Fofana joined Chelsea from Leicester City for an initial €81m (£70m) in August 2022, with the France international signing a seven-year contract with the Stamford Bridge club.

The 25-year-old, who can play either as a centre-back or a right-back, has struggled with persistent injuries during his time in west London, making just 68 appearances in four seasons at the club.

However, Fofana has made 34 appearances for Chelsea so far this season, which is by far his most productive campaign for the Blues.

He turned out 20 times for the club in 2022/23 and made 14 appearances in 2024-25, having missed the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL).

Fofana was an unused substitute as managerless Chelsea slipped to a sixth straight Premier League defeat against Nottingham Forest on Monday, with the club having all-but missed out on securing Champions League qualification for next season.

Chelsea, who are searching for a permanent head coach to succeed interim boss Calum McFarlane for the 2026/27 campaign, are currently ninth in the table and 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa with just three league games remaining.

There remains an outside chance that the team who finish sixth in the Premier League could qualify for the Champions League, but Chelsea are also four points behind Bournemouth, who currently occupy that position.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will win La Liga if they avoid defeat against Real Madrid in the final Clasico of the season at Camp Nou on Sunday, with Flick’s side currently 11 points clear of their bitter rivals with four games remaining.

Analysis: Fofana to Barcelona appears to make little sense

With The Athletic reporting that Barcelona are keen to sign a left-sided defender this summer, it would make little sense - in that case - for the club to sign Fofana from Chelsea.

While the former Saint-Etienne man has proven he is a talented centre-back if he can stay fit, he is accustomed to playing as a right-sided defender in a back three or four, meaning he would not solve Barcelona’s current issues.