Chelsea are closing in on Roma midfielder Manu Kone in the final hours of the summer transfer window, with the France international lined up as the replacement for a Man City-bound Enzo Fernandez.
The deal taking shape
Chelsea are closing in on a £52m deal for the 25-year-old, according to Sky Italy, with the two clubs edging ever closer to an agreement. Chelsea have reportedly been given the green light to sign Kone, whose Roma contract runs to June 2029, and the possible package could also send winger Jamie Gittens to Rome on a season-long loan.
Why Chelsea need a midfielder
The urgency traces back to Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine has been pushing to reunite with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, and the two Premier League clubs are in talks over an agreement that could approach Chelsea’s £120m asking price. Fernandez was left out of Xabi Alonso’s last two squads and reportedly has no intention of playing for the Blues this season.
Who is Manu Kone?
Kone is a 25-year-old central midfielder who caught the eye at the 2026 World Cup, where Patrick Vieira called him “today the best midfielder in France.” Roy Keane once tagged his role as a “water carrier,” a label Vieira rejected in favor of his forward-passing quality.
| Profile | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 25 |
| Club | AS Roma |
| Position | Central midfielder |
| Contract | Expires June 2029 |
| Nationality | France |
| 2026 World Cup | Key performer for Les Bleus |
Deadline day: what happens next
The summer window closes today, September 1. Roma had initially insisted the owners did not want to sell, but reports now say talks are progressing toward a late move. Until the deal is signed, treat it as Chelsea’s priority rather than a done deal. The Blues have been busy all window: they already sent Mykhailo Mudryk out on loan to Tottenham, and offloaded Liam Delap in a club-record sale.
