Leicester City are refusing to lower their £30million asking price for Danny Drinkwater, who has handed in a transfer request.
The former Manchester United youngster helped the Foxes win the Premier League title in 2016, and remains a key member of their first eleven. Despite this, it was still something of a surprise to learn that current champions Chelsea want to sign him, but it is clear that Antonio Conte is a firm admirer of the midfield player.
Earlier this summer the Blues had an offer rejected for Drinkwater, and a second bid in the region of £25million has also been snubbed. Leicester are thought to be holding out for a fee of £30million for the England international, who has three caps for his country, despite him handing in an official request to leave the club.
Conte is eager for midfield reinforcements, despite already spending around £40million to lure Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco. This signing allowed Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United for a similar fee, but the Italian coach still feels he is short in this department due to his side’s commitments this season.
Bakayoko is still regaining his fitness following his transfer to Stamford Bridge, but looked promising in the 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur and he also appeared as a substitute in the win against Everton. Drinkwater’s arrival would put pressure on his place in the team, but the 23-year-old is more than ready for the challenge.
“Competition only makes you better. I am not scared of anyone,” the France international told SFR Sport. “I think that there are not enough of us in midfield, especially with all the competitions we will be playing in. We need another midfielder to reinforce the team, so it is a very good thing that he could be coming.”
