Gian Piero Gasperini, head coach of Serie A's Roma, confirmed that Chelsea was unable to finalize a move for midfielder Manu Kone during the summer transfer window due to time constraints. Initially sought after by Arsenal and Manchester United, Chelsea made a late approach for Kone, but the deal did not materialize.
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Kone is viewed by Gasperini as an essential player for the team, a sentiment reflected in his performances this season. In discussing Chelsea's interest, Gasperini stated, "There wasn’t enough time. Also because these transfers involve bringing in a lot of people, even just to draft contracts.”
He also expressed confidence in Kone's potential for growth, implying that his value is likely to increase in the coming months. "He’ll have plenty of time to increase his value, even if he’s already done so," Gasperini remarked.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the support of the Friedkin family, Roma's ownership group, while indicating that selling Kone to Chelsea was not a priority. "I feel the Friedkins’ support, even though they’re far away and rarely come to Rome. Galantic is here, but my goal is to bring them closer together."
Kone has recently displayed his ability on the national stage, contributing to the French team after scoring twice against Inter. His presence is deemed crucial for Roma's ambitions in Serie A, with Gasperini emphasizing that without Kone, the team would face significant challenges.
Kaustubh Pandey – GIFN