EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea agree personal terms with Manu Kone

1 Sept 2026 08:58 BST | 3 min read

Steve Kay | Editor

Make us your Google favourite

Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Manu Kone and are now pushing to sign the AS Roma midfielder before the window closes, FootballTransfers understands.

Article continues under the video

The France international has emerged as a top target for Xabi Alonso’s side in recent days and they are eager to bring him to Stamford Bridge as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who is edging closer to joining Manchester City.

Current ETV

Manu Kone

M (C)

Roma

Manu Kone

M (C)

Roma

ETV Range

€40.1M - €49M

Kone made 37 appearances across all competitions for Roma last season, scoring two goals, and sources have informed us that Chelsea have ramped up talks over a Deadline Day deal, with personal terms now agreed with the 25-year-old.

Meanwhile, we are told that Roma are seeking a €60 million transfer fee to sanction a sale.

Chelsea remain in talks to sell the aforementioned Fernandez to Man City for a club-record fee, while fellow midfielder Dario Essugo could leave the club on loan before the window closes.

When asked whether Kone will leave for Chelsea following his side’s 4-0 win over Lecce on Monday evening, Roma boss Gian Piero 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.”

However, we understand that Chelsea are now pushing to finalise a deal.

© IMAGO - Chelsea want to sign Manu Kone

Manu Kone receives Patrick Vieira seal of approval

Kone has been one of the best midfielders in Serie A throughout his time at Roma and he received significant praise from France legend Patrick Vieira during the 2026 World Cup.

“He had a really good season in Serie A with Roma,” Vieira told ITV Sport when asked about his compatriot. “He came to the World Cup after a couple of injuries. It has been quite a difficult season for him.

“He is for me today the best midfielder in France. I'd put him ahead of [Aurelien] Tchouameni and [Adrien] Rabiot, because he has this mobility, he is aggressive, he is a ball-winner, and he has the technical ability to be part of the build-up, has the facility with the ball to break lines and move forward.”

Vieira continued: “He will win the ball, but he has something more than the others, as he can play forward.

“Sometimes Tchouameni can give you a little bit of frustration, too many passes sideways or backwards, but he's got more passes going forward.”

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, although a deal appears to have stalled over the past 24 hours.