Chelsea are in advanced negotiations with AS Roma over a swap deal worth approximately £52m that could see French midfielder Manu Kone join Stamford Bridge before the transfer window slams shut.

According to Sky Italia, Chelsea have tabled a bid of around €60m for the 25-year-old, who has cemented his place as a key figure in Serie A. To bridge the gap in Roma's valuation, Chelsea are ready to include winger Jamie Gittens — aged 22 — as part of the arrangement, sending him to the Stadio Olimpico.

Fernandez exit accelerates Chelsea's pursuit

The late move for Kone is directly linked to the mounting uncertainty surrounding Enzo Fernandez's future at Chelsea. The World Cup winner has attracted serious interest from Manchester City, with a transfer to the Etihad Stadium appearing increasingly inevitable before the deadline.

Chelsea's recruitment staff have moved quickly to identify Kone as a ready-made replacement, ensuring manager Xabi Alonso retains sufficient depth in central midfield should Fernandez complete his move to City in the final hours of the window.

Kone brings a combative, box-to-box profile — capable of disrupting opposition play, pressing at high intensity, and carrying the ball forward — qualities that make him a strong fit for Alonso's system.

Gittens' move to Roma makes sense for all parties

For Gittens, the proposed switch offers a route to regular first-team football he has struggled to secure in West London. Roma have held a sustained interest in the former Borussia Dortmund winger and previously explored a loan move earlier in this same transfer window.

With the deadline bearing down, both clubs are said to be moving swiftly through discussions. Should Fernandez's exit to Manchester City be confirmed, Chelsea's path to completing Kone's arrival at Stamford Bridge would be clear.