Chelsea attempted to sign AS Roma’s Manu Kone in the summer transfer window. The Blues could now be regretting their failure to secure the France international.
The midfielder had an impressive 2025/26 campaign, as he helped Roma return to the Champions League. Soon, he was a standout for Les Bleus at the World Cup and this took his reputation to new heights.
Over the summer, Sport Witness tracked how the Italian side had been open to a sale. They were seeking capital gains and were obligated to make sales due to problems with UEFA Financial Fair Play.
Late in the window, Chelsea stepped forward for him and a deal appeared close. Gian Piero Gasperini vetoed the move though, as he sees him as a key part of his side.
This has paid off. Kone has impressed in the campaign so far, scoring a brace against Inter Milan at the weekend.
Value has risen further
Today’s Corriere dello Sport notes Kone’s importance to Gasperini’s side. They believe he has evolved as a player and has unlocked a goalscoring ability which wasn’t seen until last season.
That is why the newspaper feel ‘he’s changed dimension’ and make it clear that Chelsea never made a formal offer for him. They were considering a €60m approach but now, that valuation isn’t enough to sign him.
Kone is now worth around €100m. Roma are looking at how much English clubs like Tottenham and Manchester City have spent to sign midfielders. That is viewed as a bar for comparison and the Frenchman’s value can grow further in the near future.
Corriere dello Sport also express belief that without the 25-year-old, Roma wouldn’t challenge for the title. If not for Gasperini, this growth may not have transpired.
Transfer chance missed
Roma will likelyplay in the Champions League next season again. This will help them keep hold of their best players like Kone and their values will naturally rise.
Chelsea could’ve signed him for a good fee when they really needed a midfielder. That failure has been seen so far this season, with the Blues’ midfield lacking steel.
Kone could’ve been the ideal Enzo Fernandez replacement too. Both can play deeper but also thrive on bombing forward. Now, signing the France man looks complicated.
