Reports claim that Chelsea are prepared to make one of their targets the most expensive defender in football history as Blues boss Thomas Tuchel looks to reinforce his backline.

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It is well publicised that the Blues' top priority in this window is to reinforce their defence.

With central defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen having left for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectfully, Tuchel is looking to bring in more players to replace the duo.

The German tactician has already acquired 2021 Africa Cup of Nations-winning captain Kalidou Koulibaly's services from Napoli earlier in the window, and reports now suggest that the west London side is prepared to break the bank for a French centre-back.

According to The Sun, the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League winners and their new co-owner Todd Boehly are prepared to make Leicester City's Wesley Fofana the most expensive defender in football history.

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The French centre-back has become a key target for Tuchel, who lost out on Jules Kounde to Barcelona earlier in the window.

Chelsea reportedly had a bid of £60 million (R1.2 billion) for the 21-year-old rejected earlier this week, with Brendan Rodgers intent on keeping his player and the Foxes said to be asking for a fee that is at least in the region of £85 million (R1.7 billion), which would be a world record for a defender.

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The same report suggests that Boehly is willing to pay that amount, but will first test Leicester's commitment to that fee by offering a second bid lower than what is being asked for.

Should Fofana move to Stamford Bridge for £85 million, it would be the second time the 2015/16 Premier League champions have sold a central defender for a world-record price following Harry Maguire's £78 million (R1.5 billion) move to Manchester United in 2020, as per Transfermarkt.