Kylian Mbappe convinced Xabi Alonso to sign €70m star

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Xabi Alonso reportedly phoned his former Real Madrid pupil Kylian Mbappe for his verdict on Chelsea target Manu Kone this summer.

The west London giants were eager to sign a new central midfielder on Transfer Deadline Day, after sanctioning the €145 million sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City, and Kone was one of their top two targets, alongside Lamine Camara of AS Monaco.

Current ETV

Manu Kone

M (C)

Roma

Manu Kone

M (C)

Roma

€40.1M

ETV Range

€36.1M - €44.1M

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FootballTransfers understands that personal terms were agreed with Kone, however Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini blocked the sale, due to his desire to retain the Frenchman, and Chelsea were ultimately left empty-handed.

The Blues’ pursuit of Camara was also in vain, with the deal collapsing despite a €55m agreement with Monaco, and Alonso will be forced to deploy Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco or Jordan Henderson next to Moises Caicedo in midfield until at least the January transfer window.

It’s understood that Chelsea are likely to face competition from Liverpool for Camara’s signature in 2027, with the Reds set to be in the market for an Alexis Mac Allister replacement, while they will need to convince Roma to sell Kone if they want to land the France midfielder.

Agent Kylian Mbappe

Kone enjoyed an eye-catching World Cup for Didier Deschamps’ side this summer and Foot Mercato claim that Chelsea reached a €70m agreement with Roma on Deadline Day. However, the Serie A side were unable to find a suitable replacement and Gasperini swiftly vetoed a sale, with Kone forced to remain in Rome.

Meanwhile, Foot Mercato also report that Alonso phoned Mbappe to get his verdict on Kone before asking the Chelsea hierarchy to step up talks over a possible transfer.

It’s understood that Mbappe gave a glowing report of his compatriot and told Alonso to pursue a deal. The Blues manager also contacted Kone directly and was convinced that he was an “ideal fit” for his Chelsea team.

However, the deal ultimately failed to materialise and Chelsea will be forced to utilise their current set of midfield options after allowing Fernandez to depart for a British record transfer fee without signing a replacement.