Chelsea closing in on £52m transfer deal for Enzo Fernandez replacement

Chelsea have set their sights on Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea are closing in on a deal with Roma to sign France midfielder Manu Kone, according to reports in Italy.

Kone has emerged as Chelsea’s top target to replace Enzo Fernandez in the final few hours of the transfer window.

Fernandez has been pushing to join former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca at Manchester City this summer and talks are ongoing between the two Premier League clubs regarding an agreement for the 2022 World Cup winner.

The Argentina international was left out of Xabi Alonso’s squad for Chelsea last two matches against Luton Town and Brighton in the Carabao Cup and Premier League respectively and has no intention of playing for the Blues this season.

Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White have also being linked as possible additions at Stamford Bridge in the event that City meet Chelsea’s £120million asking price for Fernandez.

Earlier this week, reports emanating out of Kone’s France indicated Roma had no intention of parting ways with the sought-after 25-year-old, rumours which Gian Piero Gasperini appeared to confirm.

‘Absolutely not, it is a media thing. I know nothing about it. I also know the owners do not want to sell,’ the Roma manager told reporters.

Kone is considered one of the finest central midfielders in Serie A (Picture: Getty)

Gasperini has been desperate to keep hold of Kone this summer (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t know who approached us, but we have not received any formal offers for him.’

However, Sky Italy are now reporting that Chelsea and Roma are edging ever closer to an agreement worth in the region of £52million for the France international.

It’s claimed the two clubs are also discussing a possible deal that would see Jamie Gittens move from west London to Rome on a season-long loan deal.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have also made an official bid for Monaco central midfielder Camara worth €45m (£38.5m), but this figure is believed to be lower than the asking price set by the Ligue 1 outfit.

Kone has racked up four goals and six assists in 84 appearances for Roma since arriving in the Italian capital from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach – initially on a temporary basis – in 2024.

The former Gladbach and Toulouse man made his senior international debut that same year and has since accumulated 19 caps for his country, including five appearances at this summer’s World Cup.

On Monday night, Kone played 67 minutes of Roma’s 4-0 victory at Lecce in Serie A.

He also featured in the side’s top-flight opener at home to Fiorentina, which Gasperini’s side won by the same scoreline.

Kone has been capped 19 times by the French national team (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have been forced to draw up a list of possible Fernandez replacements (Picture: Getty)

Facing the media after Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Brighton on Sunday, Xabi Alonso tried to reassure fans he would have a ‘good enough squad’ at his disposal for the season ahead, irrespective of what the future held for Fernandez.

‘We are preparing for all scenarios,’ the Chelsea manager said when asked for an update on Fernandez’s situation at his post-match press conference.