Chelsea have set their sights on Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone (Picture: Getty) Chelsea are closing in on a deal with Roma to sign France midfielder Manu Kone, according to reports in Italy. Kone has emerged as Chelsea’s top target to replace Enzo Fernandez in the final few hours of the transfer window. Fernandez has been pushing to join former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca at Manchester City this summer and talks are ongoing between the two Premier League clubs regarding an agreement for the 2022 World Cup winner. The Argentina international was left out of Xabi Alonso’s squad for Chelsea last two matches against Luton Town and Brighton in the Carabao Cup and Premier League respectively and has no intention of playing for the Blues this season. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White have also being linked as possible additions at Stamford Bridge in the event that City meet Chelsea’s £120million asking price for Fernandez. Earlier this week, reports emanating out of Kone’s France indicated Roma had no intention of parting ways with the sought-after 25-year-old, rumours which Gian Piero Gasperini appeared to confirm. ‘Absolutely not, it is a media thing. I know nothing about it. I also know the owners do not want to sell,’ the Roma manager told reporters. Kone is considered one of the finest central midfielders in Serie A (Picture: Getty) Gasperini has been desperate to keep hold of Kone this summer (Picture: Getty) ‘I don’t know who approached us, but we have not received any formal offers for him.’ However, Sky Italy are now reporting that Chelsea and Roma are edging ever closer to an agreement worth in the region of £52million for the France international. It’s claimed the two clubs are also discussing a possible deal that would see Jamie Gittens move from west London to Rome on a season-long loan deal. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have also made an official bid for Monaco central midfielder Camara worth €45m (£38.5m), but this figure is believed to be lower than the asking price set by the Ligue 1 outfit. {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Alonso speaks after whirlwind 4-3 win over Brighton","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/08\/31\/8888547213964063520\/480x270_MP4_8888547213964063520.mp4","description":"The goals conceded and possession stats don't seem to irk the Chelsea boss as long as they're winning games.","duration":"T6M3S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/08\/31\/07\/110948211-0-image-a-9_1788159003578.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-08-31T07:50:09+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); Kone has racked up four goals and six assists in 84 appearances for Roma since arriving in the Italian capital from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach – initially on a temporary basis – in 2024. The former Gladbach and Toulouse man made his senior international debut that same year and has since accumulated 19 caps for his country, including five appearances at this summer’s World Cup. On Monday night, Kone played 67 minutes of Roma’s 4-0 victory at Lecce in Serie A. He also featured in the side’s top-flight opener at