Gasperini reveals truth about Chelsea’s Koné offer, confirms Roma wanted Greenwood | OneFootball

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini insists Chelsea didn’t send an official offer for Manu Koné on deadline day and confirms the Giallorossi tried to sign Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville: ‘The summer was torture.’

During an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma coach Gasperini said Chelsea had not made an offer for France international Koné on deadline day and claimed he had not blocked the midfielder’s transfer.

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Manu Kone of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Olimpico on October 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Oh no, that’s a credit they’ve unfairly attributed to me,” he said.

“Until the Lecce match, I hadn’t heard anything about Koné; after that, there wouldn’t have been time for negotiations. And anyway, we never received an official offer.”

After the game against Lecce, played the day before the summer transfer deadline, Gasperini reiterated that Roma would not sell their best players, but the following day, Sky Sport reported that the Giallorossi had turned down a €60m bid from Chelsea.

Roma reached a settlement agreement with UEFA and received a fine from the European football governing body in June for failing to meet its financial requirements.

VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Players of AS Roma pose for a photo after winning their match and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League following the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“In June, I thought we had solved our problems with the money from Champions League qualification,” Gasperini said.

“When we tried to sign Greenwood and Summerville, I realised that wasn’t the case. The summer was torture: constantly reviewing market ideas and having to give up on players who were enthusiastic about coming to Roma due to wage-bill restrictions. The ownership did everything possible within the financial constraints. And anyway, my regret has been compensated.”

By what?

“By the desire to stay of a group of players, young and old, who took pay cuts and put their love for the shirt and the club above everything else: Dybala, Hermoso, Mancini, Cristante, Pellegrini, Lulli. This spirit is our strength. It doesn’t happen everywhere.”

NEWPORT, WALES – AUGUST 04: Santiago Castro of AS Roma scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the pre-season friendly match between Newport County and AS Roma at Rodney Parade on August 04, 2026 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Roma didn’t sell any of their top players this summer and welcomed Santiago Castro, Rodrigo Mora, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon.

The Giallorossi were also looking for one more attacking winger, but Gasp is still satisfied with the club’s transfer activity.

“Gittens and Luiz Henrique were the last attempts,” he said.

“Signing an ordinary player, just for the sake of it, wouldn’t have made sense.”

LECCE, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Head coach of AS Roma Gian Piero Gasperini during the Serie A match between US Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on August 31, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

“Molina is coming off a World Cup that drained him and from different, less aggressive tactical habits. But he’s almost ready,” Gasp continued.

“He’ll often play on the left, to exploit his strong right foot when he cuts inside. If I hadn’t changed Rensch’s flank at Parma, we wouldn’t be in the Champions League.”

The Italian tactician also praised another new signing, Rodrigo Mora: “Every ball he touches, something happens. As happens to the big boys.”

Roma won their opening two Serie A games in extraordinary fashion, beating both Fiorentina and Lecce 4-0. Can the Giallorossi complete a Scudetto run this season?

“The passion has always been there; now I see enthusiasm, but it’s mature, aware,” Gasperini noted.

“More so than people outside Rome believe. You can’t easily fool Roma fans. They’ve had great seasons, great teams. They understand football. Today, they are satisfied supporters. That’s my greatest gratification. Seeing them satisfied.”