Chelsea ran out of time to complete a late summer transfer deal for AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné because negotiations required too much paperwork for the remaining window, manager Gian Piero Gasperini revealed.
Late Interest From Stamford Bridge Fails to Materialize
AS Roma could easily have lost Manu Koné during the summer transfer window after Arsenal and Manchester United registered early interest in the French midfielder. As the deadline approached, Chelsea stepped up their pursuit with a concrete bid to bring him to Stamford Bridge, but the operation ultimately collapsed before terms could be finalized. Gasperini intervened to halt the departure because he views the 23-year-old as an indispensable pillar of his squad. The decision has already paid dividends on the pitch, with Koné delivering standout performances to anchor Roma’s early-season campaign in Serie A.
Contract Paperwork Proved Too Complex for Transfer Deadline
Addressing the frantic final days of the window in an interview with the Corriere dello Sport, Gasperini explained that the Premier League club simply ran out of hours to get the complex multi-party agreement across the line. “There was not enough time,” Gasperini said. “Also because these transfers require the participation of many people, even just to draft the contracts.” Despite persistent overtures from London, Roma’s stubborn stance and the ticking clock kept Koné in the Italian capital.
Rising Valuation and Confidence From Club Ownership
Gasperini expressed firm confidence that Koné will continue his upward trajectory, predicting that the midfielder’s market value will climb even higher in the coming months. “He will have plenty of time to increase his value, even if he has already done so,” the manager noted. The Italian tactician also acknowledged the strong backing he receives from the Friedkin family, Roma’s American ownership group, despite their infrequent physical presence in Italy. “I feel the support of the Friedkin, even if they are far away and rarely come to Rome. Galantic is here, but my goal is to bring them closer.”
Midfield Dominance Fuels Roma’s Early-Season Ambitions
Koné’s importance to the club has only grown following a dominant international break with France and a brilliant domestic display that included two goals against Inter Milan. Those performances underline his status as a foundational player if Roma intends to sustain a serious challenge for the Serie A title this season, with the squad’s depth taking a significant hit whenever the dynamic midfielder is absent from the lineup.
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