CHELSEA have received a boost in their pursuit of Wesley Fofana as Leicester have their sights set on his replacement.
The Foxes knocked back yet another bid for Fofana this week believed to be in the region of £70million.
But they have targeted Borussia Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji, 27, in anticipation of a fourth Blues offer for Fofana, report The Telegraph.
Dortmund reportedly want £20m for the Switzerland international but are also open to loan offers.
Fofana, 21, will miss Leicester's trip to Chelsea on Saturday and has been training with the under-23s all week as is not been in the right frame of mind to play, according to his manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Foxes boss said: "He [Fofana] won't be available for the weekend and has trained with the U23s squad.
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"I'm not sure [if there will be a fourth bid]. My concentration is with the team, I can't lose energy thinking about it.
"It will be something done between the clubs, until then I keep working. It's always about the commitment and when the player is ready to commit to the team. If he's not in the right frame of mind I must consider the welfare of the player and push on."
Chelsea are also believed to be close to sealing a deal to sign Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The striker appeared to wave goodbye to the Nou Camp at the end of the friendly against Manchester City on Wednesday amid a £17m bid from Chelsea.
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Barca are tempted by the offer and although they are seeking closer to £25m they could accept the bid as it would provide the £15m needed to register summer signing Jules Kounde.
With days remaining in the transfer window Chelsea still hope to pull off a move for Anthony Gordon after he told Everton he wants to leave.
The Toffees have rejected multiple bids for the winger and the Blues may have to sacrifice either Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja in a loan deal to get their man.
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