Chelsea transfer latest: Deal close for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, as loan explored for Jamie Gittens to go the other way
Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to sign Manu Kone from Roma; Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini does not want to sell a player and is seen as an obstacle to overcome; a loan deal for Jamie Gittens to go the other direction is being explored
Tuesday 1 September 2026 10:50, UK
Chelsea are close to an agreement with Roma to sign France midfielder Manu Kone, but Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is trying to keep hold of the player according to Sky in Italy.
A deal worth £52m was understood to have been discussed, with talks also advancing to see winger Jamie Gittens head in the other direction on loan.
Kone is being lined up as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, with talks ongoing over a move to Manchester City for the Argentina international.
Chelsea's negotiations continue for both Kone and Gittens, but Gasperini's reluctance to let Kone go is an obstacle to overcome.
- Transfer Centre - Deadline Day LIVE! | Chelsea news & transfers🔵
- Deadline Day done deals
- Premier League transfers - ins and outs by club
- Chelsea fixtures & scores | FREE Chelsea highlights▶️
- Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺
Gapserini pushed for Kone to stay when he arrived as head coach and was instrumental in securing the France midfielder's immediate future there.
Roma are working on either AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana or Marseille's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace Kone.
Could Kone fill Fernandez shoes?
Analysis by Sky Sports' Nick Wright:
Kone has pedigree as a 19-cap France international who, at 25, and with his peak years still ahead of him, has already impressed in Italy, Germany and his homeland, demonstrating a capacity to adapt which could serve him well in the Premier League.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has good athleticism and technical quality. Like the player he is in line to replace at Chelsea, he can operate at both No 6 and No 8, although it is at the base of midfield that he is most comfortable.
That may suit Alonso given his favoured, three-at-the-back system leaves little room for the No 8 role in which Fernandez previously excelled for the club. It may also suit Kone, who can defend, pass and carry but doesn't offer the same level of attacking threat.
Fernandez thrived in that sense at Chelsea. The Argentina international contributed an impressive total of 16 goals and 11 assists in the last two Premier League seasons.
Chelsea might need to find those goals and assists elsewhere in his squad if he goes, with Kone, a player who has different strengths, having provided only two and five respectively in league games for Roma in the same timeframe.
