Rodgers insists Leicester defender Fofana is not for sale

The Foxes have already rejected an offer from Newcastle for James Maddison, while the future of Youri Tielemans is also in doubt.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has issued a hands-off warning over Wesley Fofana and reiterated his desire to keep James Maddison.

Newcastle has had a £40million bid for Maddison rejected, while Chelsea is stepping up attempts to secure Fofana.

Rodgers is determined to keep his best players and is adamant defender Fofana is going nowhere.

He said: “No, he’s not for sale. When we looked at him, he had made 17 league starts. Everyone looked at him back then, but he’s flourished and developed, not just as a player but as a young man.

“He respects the club; I have no doubt he’ll be on that (highest) stage in the future, but Wesley is very comfortable; he feels good here.

“He has a great relationship with his teammates, which is essential, and there’s no doubt he will grace that stage. But for now, he’s developing; as I said, he’s not for sale.

“He’s maybe got an opportunity to get himself in the France squad for the World Cup, and for that, it’s about playing, so I’m pretty calm on it. I’ve had long chats with him.

“He can’t stop the speculation, but he’s very concentrated on his work here and his development.”

Rodgers also wants to keep Maddison in demand, with the Foxes having already rejected Newcastle’s opening offer.

After Sunday’s 1-0 friendly win over Sevilla, the manager joked that £40million would buy “three-quarters of his left leg”.

Leicester, the only top-flight side yet to make a signing this summer, still need to sell to bring in reinforcements, but Rodgers insisted the club will not be taken advantage of over Maddison or others.

“There is, within the club, a financial situation which isn’t ideal in terms of wanting to do business. It doesn’t mean others can exploit us, and we don’t want to be losing our best players,” he said

“You don’t want to lose your best players and then be unable to bring any into the club. That doesn’t stack up.

“With James, he is looking the best he has in my time here. He is a joy to work with professionally. I love him as a young guy, seeing him grow from when I first arrived, and now he’s a 25-year-old father.

“He is pivotal to us. There is no way I would want to sell him.”

Youri Tielemans, who has one year left on his deal, remains at the King Power Stadium despite reported interest from Arsenal.

Rodgers conceded the Belgium midfielder could still leave, but Leicester is still waiting for offers.

“There is a possibility Youri could leave, but there has not been anything for him; we haven’t had any approaches to the club yet on that,” he said.