Wout Faes, a standout for Leicester City, is said to have turned down a lucrative contract offer from Chelsea despite being showered with gifts from the Blues. Faes signed a contract to transfer to Leicester after rejecting Chelsea’s approach.
At least the gifted Faes went down with the Foxes when they were demoted at the end of the 2022–2023 season. Chelsea showed interest in the Belgian center back, who had cost £15 million to sign from French team Reims. At the time, the Belgian was regarded as one of Europe’s most promising defenders.
It’s claimed that the west Londoners tried to sign Faes when he was a teenager in the Anderlecht academy. What’s more, in an attempt to pry him away from the Belgian outfit, Chelsea sent Faes a shirt signed by then-Blues star David Luiz.
Speaking to The Telegraph last season, Faes said: “Maybe if I had gone there I would have got more money but that was not important. I wanted to have the best education and I knew at Anderlecht they were really counting on me and saw me as a future talent.
Wout Faes played a crucial role in Leicester’s recent promotion. (Image: Getty)
“It was more important to stay there and progress there. I never thought: ‘I should have gone to Chelsea.’ I have no regrets.”
Featuring in all but three of Leicester’s 46 Championship fixtures, the dynamic defender caught the eye with his impressive passing range and stellar dribbling ability – a trait unique to a centre-back with Faes’ build. But while the 6ft 1in star may have endeared himself to the Foxes faithful, Leicester could face a battle to keep him at the club during the summer transfer window.
It was reported in January that the David Luiz lookalike was a target for Serie A outfit Atalanta – a move which failed to materialise. However, should a side competing in Europe next season come knocking, Faes could, this time around, find the opportunity too good to turn down
Read also: Crystal Palace and Brentford Engage in Battle for Player – Anticipated Offers on the Horizon
