Gasperini: Chelsea came close to signing Roma midfielder Manu Kone

WHAT HAPPENED
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Manu Kone almost completed a move to Chelsea during the recent transfer window. The deal failed to materialise as Roma were reluctant to sanction an exit with little time left before the deadline.

KEY CONTEXT
Chelsea had been looking for a new midfielder after offloading Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City. The club reached a verbal agreement with AS Monaco for Lamine Camara earlier in the window, but Monaco later pulled out of that proposed transfer. Kone was named as a target for the Blues toward the deadline, but Roma insisted on securing a quality replacement for the Frenchman before allowing any sale and were unable to do so in time.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Gasperini said Kone has been a key player for the Giallorossi since the window closed, and there is a possibility Chelsea could return for him in January.