Chelsea suffer blow as Premier League side reject bid to sign their star player - Reports
Chelsea have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as Leicester City have reportedly turned down an opening offer from the Blues.
The 25-year-old left-footed midfielder has emerged as a transfer target for the West London giants in recent days, as he aims to reunite with his former manager Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are believed to have sent in an undisclosed offer for the player, but Leicester City are believed to have waved it off, according to football journalist Matt Law.
Dewsbury-Hall enjoyed a productive 2023-24 football campaign with the Foxes, as he helped his club clinch the championship title and also secure automatic qualification back to the Premier League.
The highly rated midfielder was initially linked to Premier League club Brighton, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggesting that medical arrangements had already been booked before Chelsea showed interest in the player.
Meanwhile, the Blues will now have to increase their next offer for Dewsbury-Hall if want to sign the Englishman from Leicester City this summer.
Other reports suggest that the Foxes could also be open to having a Blues player included in a deal for Dewsbury-Hall. Names such as Datro Fofana and Cesare Casadei have been mentioned as players who could move in the opposite direction.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made a combined total of 49 appearances for the Foxes last season across all competitions, registering 14 goals and 15 assists.
Chelsea target speaks highly of club manager Enzo Maresca
It's no longer news that the Blues are currently linked with Enzo Maresca's former player, Dewsbury-Hall, who performed excellently well under his guidance at Leicester City last season.
The English midfielder enjoyed what could be described as his best individual campaign under the Italian tactician during the 2023-24 football campaign.
Amid reports linking Dewsbury-Hall with a possible reunion with his former boss at Chelsea this summer, the midfielder is believed to hold the Italian tactician in high regard.
Dewsbury-Hall had previously spoken about what it was like to work under Maresca at Leicester City, just before reports of him being linked with the Blues emerged.
During an interview with BBC, he said:
"Enzo was an unbelievable manager. I genuinely see him becoming a top manager, so it wasn’t a surprise to see he was in demand. It is weird having to change a manager after being so successful, but that’s football."