Chelsea edge closer to €60m Deadline Day signing amid swap deal talks

1 Sept 2026 10:27 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Chelsea are in advanced talks over a €60 million deal for AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone, with Jamie Gittens potentially set to head in the opposite direction on loan.

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Kone, 25, has been earmarked as Chelsea’s primary target to replace Enzo Fernandez on Deadline Day, with the Argentina superstar widely expected to join Manchester City for a club-record fee before the window closes.

Current ETV

Manu Kone

M (C)

Roma

Manu Kone

M (C)

Roma

ETV Range

€40.1M - €49M

Kone has excelled during his two-year stint at Roma and, as per Di Marzio, Chelsea are now in advanced talks over a €60m transfer, with the two clubs also in discussions over a deal that would see Gittens head to Italy on loan.

This has been backed up by RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins, who has also revealed that Chelsea are negotiating with Roma over deals for Kone and Gittens.

Earlier today, FootballTransfers exclusively reported that personal terms have been agreed with Kone as Chelsea ramp up talks to sign him. Meanwhile, we confirmed that Roma are seeking a €60m transfer fee, and the Blues are now in discussions over an offer that matches this valuation.

However, the deal could be in doubt due to Gian Piero Gasperini’s desire to keep Kone at the club.

When asked whether the Frenchman will leave for Chelsea following his side’s 4-0 win over Lecce on Monday evening, Gasperini said: “I know nothing about it. I know the owners do not want to sell. I don’t know who approached us, but we have not received any formal offers for him.”

We understand that Chelsea are pushing to finalise the transfer as they look to secure the signing of a replacement for Fernandez.

Xabi Alonso’s side have also been heavily linked with Lamine Camara and Alex Scott, however a deal for the former appears to have stalled, while Bournemouth have no interest in selling the latter.

© IMAGO - Chelsea want to sign Manu Kone

Will Jamie Gittens leave Chelsea?

FootballTransfers has been told that Gittens wants to leave Chelsea on Deadline Day after being an unused substitute in both of the club’s opening two Premier League fixtures of the new season.

Despite this, it remains to be seen if Roma will be able to finalise an agreement with Chelsea and whether their pursuit of the England U21 international will be impacted by the Blues’ bid for Kone.

Gittens has scored one goal in 28 games for Chelsea and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €42m.