Chelsea eye Brighton’s Adam Webster as Wesley Fofana alternative with Leicester demanding over £80m

Chelsea have Brighton’s Adam Webster on their list of potential alternatives in their search for a centre back.

The Blues aim to add another central defender before next Thursday’s transfer deadline with Leicester’s Wesley Fofana their priority.

But they have made enquiries for other options in case a compromise fee cannot be agreed with Leicester after having two bids for Fofana rejected.

Leicester are still demanding upwards of £80m for the Blues’ top target Wesley Fofana

Sportsmail revealed that a shock one was made for Manchester United captain Harry Maguire and Webster is another defender whose credentials have been considered.

He has impressed since joining Brighton from Bristol City in 2019 with his combination of ball-playing qualities and no-nonsense defending, meaning he has been on England manager Gareth Southgate’s radar.

The 27 year-old also put himself firmly on Chelsea’s radar last season with a man-of-the-match display in a 1-1 draw between the sides at The Amex, in which he scored Brighton’s equaliser.

And Webster, who has helped Brighton make an impressive start to the season with two clean sheets and wins in their first three games, has remained a player in the thoughts of Chelsea’s new regime.

They are therefore eyeing Webster as a backup option to Fofana ahead of next week’s deadline

Chelsea have added Kalidou Koulibaly to their centre-back options since losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer.

They have also signed the versatile Marc Cucurella from Brighton, who can play as a left-sided centre back, but are still seeking one more out-and-out central defender.

Their hopes of landing Fofana received a boost after he was left out of Leicester’s defeat against Southampton on Saturday but the Foxes are holding out for a world record fee for a defender of over £80m.