**Chelsea’s hopes of signing Manu Koné have suffered a major deadline-day setback after Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini publicly insisted he does not expect the midfielder to leave.**
Koné emerged as Chelsea’s preferred midfield target on Monday as the Blues moved away from negotiations for Lamine Camara.
ReadChelsea reported that Chelsea had switched their attention to Koné after making him their new priority, with contact subsequently made with the France international’s representatives.
Roma have now made their position considerably clearer.
Speaking after Roma’s win over Lecce, Gasperini said he had **“absolutely” no feeling that Koné would leave** before the window closes.
The Roma boss also revealed that nobody at the club had spoken to him about selling the midfielder and said the ownership group was not planning to sanction departures.
His comments were carried by [La Gazzetta dello Sport](https://www.gazzetta.it/en/football/teams/roma/news/31-08-2026/gasperini-post-lecce-roma-press-conference.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com) and subsequently highlighted by Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea have contacted Koné’s camp but **have not submitted an official bid to Roma**, according to reports in Italy.
[Corriere dello Sport reports that Roma do not want to lose Koné](https://next2026.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/calcio-mercato/roma/2026/08/31-150928345/chelsea_in_pressing_su_kon_la_roma_prova_a_resistere_c_una_promessa_a_gasperini?utm_source=chatgpt.com), particularly so late in the window, and would demand at least €60million to seriously consider a sale.
That leaves Chelsea with little time to change Roma’s stance.
Koné remains high on the Blues’ shortlist, particularly if Enzo Fernandez leaves for Manchester City, but Gasperini’s comments make clear that completing the deal will be anything but straightforward.