Roma didn’t bring in the new wing player they were looking for on deadline day, but they were able to stave off a late push by Chelsea for Manu Koné. Gian Piero Gasperini blocked the deal after the two clubs had talked at the highest levels.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the two brasses were at a good point in setting up a €61M move to London for the Frenchman, while Jamie Gittens would have transferred on an initial loan. The Giallorossi star would have replaced Enzo Fernandez, who transferred to Manchester City for €145M.

Instead, Gasperini intervened and insisted on retaining Koné, especially so late in the window. He has been harping on his permanence all summer long. Plus, it would have been arduous to find a proper replacement.

At that point, Chelsea didn’t allow Gittens to move to the Eternal City. The capital club worked primarily on Jamie Leweling. They were close to an agreement on a €35M package with Stuttgart. However, the player wasn’t too convinced about transferring in general. There wasn’t enough time to pivot. The paperwork to nab Luiz Henrique from Zenit St. Petersburg would have taken too long.

Our Take on Roma and Koné

It would have made sense in early July to finance a few more coups, but not on deadline day, even though the offer was more than respectable. They surely gambled with their Financial Fair Play-related restrictions, not making any massive ‘plusvalenza,’ so they must be convinced the punishment will be mild at best. A versatile lefty would have rounded out their squad perfectly, but they preferred a standing part to an unconvincing and rash solution.