Chelsea are close to an agreement with Roma to sign France midfielder Manu Kone, but Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is trying to keep hold of the player according to Sky in Italy.
A deal worth £52m was understood to have been discussed, with talks also advancing to see winger Jamie Gittens head in the other direction on loan.
Kone is being lined up as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, with talks ongoing over a move to Manchester City for the Argentina international.
Chelsea’s negotiations continue for both Kone and Gittens, but Gasperini’s reluctance to let Kone go is an obstacle to overcome.
Gapserini pushed for Kone to stay when he arrived as head coach and was instrumental in securing the France midfielder’s immediate future there.
Roma are working on either AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana or Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace Kone.
Could Kone fill Fernandez shoes?
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Kone has pedigree as a 19-cap France international who, at 25, and with his peak years still ahead of him, has already impressed in Italy, Germany and his homeland, demonstrating a capacity to adapt which could serve him well in the Premier League.
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink explains what Chelsea could expect from Manu Kone
The former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has good athleticism and technical quality. Like the player he is in line to replace at Chelsea, he can operate at both No 6 and No 8, although it is at the base of midfield that he is most comfortable.
That may suit Alonso given his favoured, three-at-the-back system leaves little room for the No 8 role in which Fernandez previously excelled for the club. It may also suit Kone, who can defend, pass and carry but doesn’t offer the same level of attacking threat.
Fernandez thrived in that sense at Chelsea. The Argentina international contributed an impressive total of 16 goals and 11 assists in the last two Premier League seasons.
Chelsea might need to find those goals and assists elsewhere in his squad if he goes, with Kone, a player who has different strengths, having provided only two and five respectively in league games for Roma in the same timeframe.
