Chelsea is exploring a late move for Roma midfielder Manu Koné as Xabi Alonso’s side assesses their final options before the transfer window closes.

The France international has emerged alongside Monaco’s Lamine Camara as one of the Blues’ leading midfield targets. Although Chelsea has not yet made a formal bid, contact with Koné’s representatives suggests the club is preparing alternatives in case their preferred plans change during the final hours of the window.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea has reached out to Koné’s camp to understand the conditions of a possible move. The 25-year-old is on Chelsea’s shortlist alongside Camara, although talks are not considered advanced at this stage. Roma would prefer to retain Koné and have yet to receive an official offer from Stamford Bridge.

Football Italia also reports that Chelsea has opened discussions with the midfielder’s representatives during the final 48 hours of the transfer window. Koné remains under contract with Roma until 2029, which places the Serie A club in a strong negotiating position.

Chelsea’s interest in Koné comes as they continue to work on acquiring Camara. Koné would provide a different profile to Chelsea’s current midfield, being powerful and aggressive without the ball, while also comfortable carrying possession through pressure. This profile could complement Moises Caicedo particularly well, offering Alonso another physically dominant option in central areas.

However, timing is crucial. With the deadline approaching, convincing Roma to sell an important starter without ample time to find a replacement could require Chelsea to pay a significant premium. This situation may explain why Camara currently appears the more developed option. Nonetheless, Chelsea is wise to keep multiple possibilities open, as late transfer windows can shift rapidly, and having an alternative like Koné prevents the club from becoming overly reliant on one negotiation.