Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea fans woke up on deadline day expecting their club to sign Manu Kone from Roma, but nothing materialised. However, that has not deterred the Blues from doing a deal for the midfielder.
Ever since leaving Gladbach to join Roma, Kone’s stock has risen. The France World Cup star, now seen as one of the most important players in Zinedine Zidane’s side, is beginning to outgrow the Italian top tier.
Chelsea might have decided to go in for Lamine Camara after Enzo Fernandez’s sale, but that was largely due to Roma’s unwillingness to sell. But that has not stopped Chelsea from working out a deal for Kone.
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Kone situation: Chelsea have ‘basically’ agreed personal terms
According to Simon Phillips, Chelsea have pretty much agreed terms with Kone ahead of a move to London in due course. Now, Chelsea have to try and convince Roma to sell, with a big offer required.
After the window shut, reports in Italy suggest Roma now value Kone at almost double his initial price tag. The Giallorossi want as much as €100m for Kone. Clearly, Roma know Chelsea have the cash to spend.
It is likely to be a common theme when Chelsea come calling. Clubs know they have a £125m pot of cash in the coffers thanks to the sale of Enzo Fernandez. But Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Kone.
Whether Chelsea can convince Roma to sell Kone, and whether that is in the summer or in the January window, remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: Kone remains a target, and Chelsea are pushing.
What Kone said about Chelsea move as Zidane praises ace
At the World Cup, Patrick Vieira said Kone was France’s best midfielder. Now, Les Blues have moved into a different era with Zinedine Zidane as manager, and Kone has featured in all three games – starting twice.
Clearly, Zidane rates him highly, even using him at the base of a 4-3-3 system: “Manu is not used to playing in that position, I wanted to see this side of him, and he was very good in terms of balance.”
Any move Kone does make, he will need to be first choice if he is to continue proving that he deserves to be France’s starting midfielder. A move to Chelsea, alongside Moises Caicedo, certainly gives him that.
Asked about Chelsea’s interest this week, Kone told Gazzetta: “Yes, things happened for me. I know that. But I’m at Roma, I’m focused. What happened, happened. I give 100% for this club; I will give everything.”
Chelsea are going to have to pay a big fee to get Kone. Not least because Kone’s stock is rising and is now considered one of the best midfielders in Europe, but because Roma know Chelsea have money.
Photo by Visionhaus
Photo by Visionhaus