Chelsea remain determined to sign Manu Koné from AS Roma, with the Blues renewing their interest in the French midfielder despite a rejected deadline-day approach, according to Tuttomercatoweb. However, Liverpool have emerged as serious rivals for the 25-year-old’s signature.

Deadline Day Snub Won’t Deter Chelsea

Xabi Alonso’s side made a formal £51m offer for Koné on deadline day, but Roma turned it down. The move came after Chelsea’s late attempt to land Lamine Camara also collapsed. While Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco arrived to bolster the midfield, Henderson is viewed more as a leadership figure than a long-term starter, and Barco is still adapting to Premier League intensity — leaving a clear gap Koné could fill.

Why Chelsea Need Koné’s Midfield Solidity

Chelsea’s midfield fragility has been exposed repeatedly this season. Against Arsenal, the Blues finished the match with two makeshift right-backs, Malo Gusto and Reece James, filling midfield roles, while Leeds United overran them for the opening hour of their 6-3 Carabao Cup win.

Koné, once called “extraordinary” by his former Toulouse youth coach, offers exactly the balance missing at Stamford Bridge. Across 262 Serie A minutes this season, he’s completed 91.4% of his passes and 85.7% of long balls, with a 75.57% touch rate underlining his ball-retention. Defensively, he averages 4.12 successful duels and 2.06 tackles per 90 minutes.

Valued at £42m by Transfermarkt, Koné now finds Chelsea and Liverpool both circling as the January window approaches.