Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with Roma to sign France midfielder Manu Kone, although Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini is pushing to keep the player at the club.
According to Sky Sport Italia, a deal worth around £52 million has been discussed, while negotiations are also progressing over a potential loan move that would see Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens join Roma.
Kone is being considered as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez, with Chelsea continuing to discuss the Argentina international’s possible move to Manchester City.
However, Gasperini’s reluctance to allow Kone to leave remains an obstacle. The Roma manager strongly advocated for the midfielder to stay when he took charge and played a key role in securing his immediate future at the club.
Roma are already exploring replacements, with AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana and Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg among the options being considered.
Meanwhile, Monaco have rejected a £38.5 million (€45 million) offer from Chelsea for midfielder Lamine Camara.
Monaco are understood to have received significant interest in the 22-year-old and would require a substantial offer to consider selling him during the current transfer window.
Kone, 25, has earned 19 caps for France and has experience playing in France, Germany and Italy. The former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is regarded as an athletic and technically gifted player capable of operating as both a No. 6 and No. 8, although he is most comfortable in a deeper midfield role.
His versatility could suit Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s preferred system, particularly if Fernandez leaves the club. Kone offers defensive ability, passing quality and ball-carrying skills, although he does not provide the same attacking output as Fernandez.
Fernandez has scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists in the Premier League over the past two seasons.
By comparison, Kone has recorded two goals and five assists in Roma’s league matches over the same period, meaning Chelsea could need to find Fernandez’s attacking contribution elsewhere if the midfielder departs.
