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Manu Kone’s move from Roma to Chelsea collapsed due to an intervention from Giallorossi head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, according to journalist Luca Bendoni.
There were reports suggesting that the Blues were close to signing the midfielder for £52m, but posting on X, Bendoni said:
“Manu Kone to Chelsea, deal off despite club-to-club advanced contacts. Manager Gasperini [is] against his departure.”
It is believed that Xabi Alonso’s side then pivoted back to recruiting Lamine Camara from Monaco.
Why were Chelsea so keen to bring in Kone?
The France international is a box-to-box midfielder who can cover a lot of ground, which is required in Xabi Alonso’s double pivot.
Kone and Moises Caicedo would have been a formidable duo, but it seems that despite a deal being very much on the cards, Roma ended up ceding to the wishes of their manager.
You do feel that if Chelsea had made a move for Kone earlier in the window, the transfer may have been sanctioned, as Gasperini would have been able to bring in a replacement he was happy with.
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What is the latest on the pursuit of Camara?
Things can change by the minute on Deadline Day, and by the time you read this, the situation may have altered drastically. At this moment, it is believed that the Blues and Monaco are quite far apart on their valuations.
Camara‘s asking price is said to be between €55m (£47m) and €60m (£51m), so considering that Alonso’s team were willing to pay £52m for Kone, you would think that the Senegalese international would not be outside their price range if they deem him worth the money. It remains to be seen whether the player ends up at Stamford Bridge.