£80m player has asked to be left out of Leicester City squad. Read what Brendan Rodgers has to say

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According to reports, Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana has asked to be left out of Leicester City’s squad for Saturday’s Premier League game against Southampton.

Chelsea have seen two bids rejected for Fofana, with the Foxes insisting only a record fee can sign the 21-year-old centre-back.

Speaking at his news conference ahead of their weekend’s Premier League clash against Southampton, Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers insisted nothing has changed in the Fofana situation and was adamant that Fofana is not for sale this summer.

“I don’t think so far ahead,” Rodgers said, when asked if he thought Fofana would be at the club at the end of the transfer window.

“The idea is that he is very much a Leicester player. He’s not for sale. Unless anything changes, I would expect him to be here.

“There’s nothing new from when we last spoke. We’ve spoken numerous times they are private conversations. Our communication is normal.”

Rodgers went on to admit that the situation is affecting his preparation at the start of the season.

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Rodgers added: “There’s no denying it.

“It’s always a tricky period. Your season is starting, you’re trying to get focused, and you spend your summer creating this powerful collective unit, and then there is lots of speculation.

“These are young guys and it’s the first time they have experienced this for some of them. There can be disruption. The idea is to keep the group focused. The minute the window ends, it all ends.”