Chelsea’s late-summer pursuit of Manu Koné ended with Roma rejecting a €60m offer, and the price has moved sharply the other way since.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed this weekend, Roma would now demand around €100m to release the 25-year-old in January. Atlético Madrid had earlier had a €45m bid plus bonuses rejected.

Manchester United and Liverpool are also named as clubs monitoring Koné, setting up a potential three-way Premier League contest for the winter window. No fresh bid has been lodged, and Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea would have to nearly double their summer offer to reopen the file.

Two goals against Inter

Koné’s start to 2026-27 explains the jump. On 19 September he scored twice at the Stadio Olimpico to send Roma 2-0 up on Inter at half-time, before Lautaro Martínez’s second-half brace pulled the visitors level at 2-2.

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The 25-year-old joined Roma from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2025. Two goals from central midfield against Inter in a single half have moved him into a different bracket of valuation.

France debut under Zidane

His international profile has climbed at the same pace. Zinedine Zidane took over from Didier Deschamps as France head coach after the World Cup, and Koné made his senior France debut under him in a 1-0 win over Turkey, deployed in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role.

Speaking after that match, Zidane praised the midfielder’s adaptability.

“Manu was very good. He’s not used to playing in that position, I really wanted to see how he handled himself in that role, and he showed excellent balance.”

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The winter transfer window opens across Europe’s main leagues on 1 January 2027.

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