Transfer News: Done deals; Chelsea agree personal terms with Fofana; Chelsea agree £15m for Cesadei

DONE DEAL: Tariqe Fosu joins Stoke City on loan

Stoke City have signed Tariqe Fosu on a season-long loan from Brentford.

The 26-year-old Ghana international, who can play in midfield or as a wing-back, is Stoke’s eighth signing of the summer.

He was bought by Brentford from Oxford United in January 2020 and has been hampered by injuries since his move to west London.

Fosu has made 21 league starts for the Bees, but just one since they were promoted to the top flight in 2021.

DONE DEAL: Carlos Mendes Gomes joins Fleetwood Town on loan

Fleetwood Town have signed winger Carlos Mendes Gomes on a season-long loan from Championship side Luton Town.

The 23-year-old previously played in Lancashire for Morecambe, where he joined from non-league side West Didsbury and Chorlton in 2018.

He made 91 appearances in all competitions for the club before joining Luton in the summer of 2021.

Mendes Gomes went on to make 14 appearances for the Hatters, scoring once and assisting twice.

Chelsea agree personal terms with Wesley Fofana

Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana, has agreed personal terms with Chelsea but the two clubs have still not settled on a fee – with the Stamford Bridge outfit refusing to meet the £85m asking price for the France centre-back.

There were reports on Tuesday that Fofana had toldLeicester that he wants to leave this summer, and the 21-year-old has already agreed terms with Chelsea, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, ahead of a move. A fee still needs to be negotiated with Leicester, with the Foxes sticking with their £80m valuation.

With clauses and bonuses, the package Chelsea have been quoted for Fofana would make him the most expensive defender of all-time. Ironically, Fofana was the replacement for Harry Maguire, who currently holds that title after making the move from Leicester to Manchester United .

Chelsea have made a strong start to the Premier League season, and defensive signings Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly linked up to open the scoring against Tottenham on Sunday. But Thomas Tuchel isn’t done just yet, with Fofana drawn up as the ideal long-term solution at the back.

Thomas Tuchel, who saw Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rüdiger leave on free transfers, wants to sign one more centre-back this summer and has identified Fofana as a key target.

The Frenchman has excelled since joining Leicester two years ago and is keen to make the switch to west London. However, Leicester, who have rejected two bids from Chelsea, are holding out for more than £80m and are determined not to lose him during the current window.

One consideration for Chelsea is whether Fofana is fully up to speed after returning from a broken leg. They are aware it could take at least £85m to

convince Leicester to sell. Sources have indicated Chelsea will eventually meet Leicester’s asking price.

Chelsea agree £15million deal for Casadei

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign 19-year-old Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei from Inter Milan for £15m plus £4.2m in add-ons.

The agreement is £12.6m (€15m) plus £4.2m (€5m) in add-ons. The very last details between the two clubs are being filed. The midfielder is expected to leave for England on Wednesday and then undergo a medical on Thursday. Casadei is 19 years old and has not made a senior appearance for Inter.

As per Fabrizio Romano , the agreed fee is €15m up front with another €5m in potential add-ons, which fits with Inter’s previously reported 20m asking price.

Despite the significant fee, Casadei is unlikely to go straight into the Chelsea first-team. They have already secured a deal for former Aston Viilla man Carney Chukwuemeka, who Thomas Tuchel has been impressed with.

Gabriel Slonina was another young name added to their ranks after months of speculation, with the goalkeeper being sent back on loan to Chicago Fire to complete the MLS season.