Chelsea ran out of time to sign Manu Koné from AS Roma
AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné nearly departed the Serie A club during the summer transfer window before a late push by Chelsea failed due to a lack of time, according to manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The French international attracted early interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, and Chelsea stepped up their pursuit in the final days of the window. However, the operation never materialized.
Koné has since established himself as a vital component of Gasperini’s squad following a standout run of form. The midfielder scored a crucial brace against Inter Milan and shone for the France national team over a recent two-week period, cementing his role in Roma’s push to compete for the Serie A title.
Gasperini explains the failed summer transfer
Addressing the failed summer move in comments reported by the Corriere dello Sport, Gasperini revealed that the Stamford Bridge club simply ran out of time to finalize the paperwork. There was not enough time,
Gasperini said. Also because these transfers require the participation of many people, even just to draft the contracts.
The Italian manager blocked any potential exit because he views Koné as a cornerstone of his team. Gasperini expressed confidence that the player will continue developing under his guidance, which will drive his market value even higher in the coming months. He will have plenty of time to increase his value, even though he has already done so,
Gasperini added.
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Without Koné anchoring the midfield, the team would be considerably weaker in their domestic campaign. The French player’s recent performances for both club and country underline why Roma fought to keep him out of the hands of Premier League suitors during the summer market.
Frequently Asked Questions about Manu Koné and AS Roma
When did Chelsea try to sign Manu Koné?
Chelsea made their move for the midfielder during the final stages of the summer transfer window before running out of time to complete the necessary contract paperwork.
Which other clubs monitored Manu Koné before the transfer window closed?
Arsenal and Manchester United also showed initial interest in the French midfielder before Chelsea made their late push to secure his signature.
How has Manu Koné performed recently for club and country?
Koné scored a notable brace against Inter Milan for AS Roma and delivered standout performances for the France national team over a two-week stretch.
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