Chelsea were keen on securing the services of Roma midfielder Manu Kone during the summer transfer window, but the potential acquisition of the Frenchman has become considerably pricier. Reports from Corriere dello Sport indicate that his valuation has soared to approximately €100m.
The London club made inquiries towards the end of the transfer window, initially weighing up a bid around €60m. However, formal offers were never submitted as Roma's head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, firmly opposed parting with one of his key players.
This decision has since paid off, with the 25-year-old Kone enjoying a stellar start to the season; he netted a brace in his latest outing against Inter. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that under Gasperini, Kone has transformed into a more potent attacking threat, adding a valuable scoring edge to his game.
Roma are now adjusting their expectations in line with the hefty sums English clubs are willing to splash on top midfield talents. Consequently, Kone's asking price is set at about €100m, with pundits suggesting it could increase further.
Last summer, however, the situation was quite different. Financial Fair Play restrictions meant that Roma were under pressure to make sales, leading to a genuine possibility that they would part with Kone.
For Chelsea, Kone represented a potential reinforcement for their midfield, especially following Enzo Fernandez's transfer to Manchester City. Yet, with Roma’s decision to keep hold of the player and his impressive form at the outset of the season, any move for him has become vastly more complex and costly.
