Ornstein reveals Liverpool interest in midfielder who was very close to Chelsea transfer - not Camara | OneFootball

Liverpool are reportedly emerging as potential suitors for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, who was also very close to joining Chelsea during the summer.

The Blues seemingly had a strong interest in Kone before pivoting to Monaco’s Lamine Camara late on in the summer, though that move also ended up falling through.

Liverpool have been linked with Camara since then, but David Ornstein has said he can’t currently confirm how concrete that is, whereas he is aware of the Reds being keen on Kone.

David Ornstein on Liverpool midfielder targets

“Manu Kone from Roma. He came very close to joining Chelsea before they pivoted to Camara,” Ornstein said in a Q&A piece for the Athletic.

He added: “I think Liverpool like him as well as one of their potential future options.

Manu Kone of AS Roma (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“Liverpool would have had to look at options, even though they were only going to sign a midfielder, in spite of Curtis Jones leaving, if a further departure occurred. Camara was one option.

“I think there’s interest in Kone of Roma, and they’ll have other options as well. Don’t forget they’ve got Trey Nyoni there, who’s really impressing.”

Do Liverpool need more in midfield?

Liverpool perhaps haven’t made the most convincing start to the season, drawing two and winning just one of their opening three Premier League games.

There was perhaps always likely to be a bit of a settling-in period under new manager Andoni Iraola, but there will also surely be some questions about the club’s performance in the transfer market.

Although LFC ended up landing that marquee attacker signing late on in the summer in the form of Bradley Barcola, it does look like they could have perhaps done more in midfield.

Kone or Camara look like they could potentially give Iraola a stronger defensive presence in the middle of the park than the options they currently have.

Ryan Gravenberch performed really well in Liverpool’s 2024/25 title-winning season, but has since suffered a dip in form and it’s easy to imagine Kone or Camara giving the team an upgrade.