Manu Koné stays at Roma after Chelsea move stalls over lack of replacement | OneFootball

Manu Koné remains at Roma after a proposed move to Chelsea fell through when the Italian club failed to land a replacement.

According to L'Équipe, Roma and Chelsea had agreed a €60m fee two days before the window closed, and the France midfielder had spoken with Xabi Alonso about his role. The transfer depended on Roma sourcing a successor, a condition that was never met.

Roma had been open to selling Koné earlier in the summer, despite his deal running to June 2029, with an asking price of €45m. Several English clubs, including Manchester United, made enquiries, but Chelsea showed strongest intent in the final week. With finances fragile, Roma were tempted, yet coach Gian Piero Gasperini prioritised the squad’s balance for the Champions League and insisted on an experienced replacement.

In the final 48 hours, Roma held talks with AC Milan over Youssouf Fofana and with Marseille for Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg, without agreement. Chelsea, seeking to cover Enzo Fernandez’s move to Manchester City, could not remove that final hurdle. By late Tuesday morning, the London club pivoted to Monaco and Senegal international Lamine Camara.

Koné, 25, then understood he would not be leaving this summer. He quickly refocused on Roma’s return to the Champions League, a push for the title and his aim to establish himself for France under Zinédine Zidane. English interest remains and could resurface in January.

Source: L'Équipe

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