Roma devastating but unsettled: Chelsea tempt Manu Koné

Chelsea have made official contact with Roma regarding midfielder Manu Koné, but head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has closed the door on any departure. The English club reached out to Roma overnight between 31 August and 1 September, seeking to understand the conditions and feasibility of a move for the French midfielder. Chelsea had already been in contact with Koné's agents for several days but took the step of approaching Roma directly in the final hours of the transfer window. Gasperini is unwilling to let Koné leave, particularly with just hours remaining before the market closes. Fabrizio Romano reported that Roma remain calm about the situation, stating there is nothing advanced in discussions with Chelsea and that Gasperini and the club view Koné as fundamental to their project. The situation remains fluid, with reports suggesting both an acceleration in talks and Gasperini's firm resistance creating contradictory signals. Meanwhile, Roma have also been linked with a loan move for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, which could potentially form part of a wider operation with Chelsea if negotiations progress. According to reports, Chelsea have been evaluating various midfield targets and are also considering prospects for a January move, particularly should Enzo Fernández depart. Matteo Moretto confirmed that at present there is a first contact between the two clubs but no official offer or concrete figures have been tabled by Chelsea. The reporter noted that while Gasperini rejected the possibility of Koné's departure yesterday, Chelsea have now shown concrete interest, leaving the question of whether Roma's position might shift in the coming hours before the window closes.

Roma have launched an urgent search for a midfielder on the final day of the transfer window after Manu Koné's potential departure to Chelsea. The club has opened talks with Marseille to explore a move for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, the 31-year-old Danish midfielder with extensive international experience, according to Sky Sport's Gianluca Di Marzio. The giallorossi must work quickly given the minimal time remaining before the market closes and the uncertainty surrounding whether Koné's switch to the Blues will be completed. Roma are operating across multiple fronts to ensure they have a replacement lined up should Koné leave Trigoria in the coming hours. Another name circulating with regularity is Youssouf Fofana, a midfielder available to leave AC Milan. Fofana has been linked with Lyon, though his transfer to the French club is not yet finalised. The priority has become clear: if Koné departs, Roma must move fast to secure a substitute. Højbjerg is among the profiles Roma have already begun working on, while Fofana represents another possibility to monitor in what is shaping up to be a frantic finish to the window.

Chelsea have tabled a €60 million offer for Manu Koné, and Roma have begun identifying potential replacements for the midfielder should the deal progress. According to Sky Sport, Roma are monitoring three names: Youssouf Fofana of Milan, who was close to joining Lyon before negotiations stalled at the document-exchange stage; Pierre-Hojbjerg of Marseille; and Mandela Keita of Parma, who is also being tracked by Everton. Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has shown interest in Fofana. Should Koné depart, Chelsea winger Jadon Gittens could be included in the transfer as part of a package that would strengthen Roma's attacking options. The two clubs are expected to hold further talks in the coming hours.

Donyell Malen has become a revelation for Roma since his arrival, scoring five goals in the first two Serie A matches of the 2026-27 season. The Dutch forward has completely transformed the club's attacking play, combining prolific finishing with an ability to create for teammates. In yesterday's fixture against Lecce, Soulé and Rodrigo Mora also found the net—Mora notably scoring after managing just one league goal throughout the previous season under Farioli. Roma have already struck eight goals across their opening two matches, a dramatic acceleration compared to last season when head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side required until 26 October, the eighth matchday, to reach that same tally. Only against Fiorentina and Verona last season had Roma scored twice in a single league match. The contrast with the previous year's attacking output is stark. The pairing of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson last season yielded just six goals combined in Serie A, while Malen has already reached five in two games. The attacking unit is set to strengthen further once Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro return to full availability, and Roma are also pursuing an additional forward signing before the close of the transfer window.

Donyell Malen has joined an elite group of Serie A strikers after scoring twice against Lecce to reach 19 goals in his first 20 competitive appearances for Roma. The Dutch forward's record places him behind only two legendary figures in the single round-robin era of Italian football: Gunnar Nordahl in 1949 and José Altafini between 1958 and 1959, both of whom scored 20 goals in their opening 20 matches. Malen has established himself as a cornerstone of Roma's attack under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini this season. His prolific form ranks among the most significant impacts recorded by any newcomer to Italian football in recent history, confirming his status as a defining attacking weapon for the club.

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to claim three points in a one-sided fixture, with Donyell Malen producing a standout performance. Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora also found the net. Emanuele Lulli delivered a strong display in defence, while Daniele Ghilardi emerged as an unexpected highlight after being drafted in at short notice due to Evan N'Dicka's absence. Gasperini deployed Roma in a 3–4–1–2 formation. Ghilardi's emergency shift proved effective, earning him marks of 7.5 from Corriere dello Sport, 6.5 from Gazzetta dello Sport, 7 from Messaggero, and 7 from Tempo. Mile Svilar received ratings ranging from 6.5 to 7 across the four newspapers. Gianluca Mancini was rated between 6 and 7, while Mario Hermoso earned 6 to 7.5 depending on the outlet. In midfield, Bryan Cristante was graded 6.5 to 8, with Corriere awarding him the highest mark. Manu Koné received 6.5 to 7.5 before being withdrawn at the 67th minute in favour of Niccolò Pisilli. Wesley was rated 6.5 to 7 and was replaced at the 60th minute by Nahuel Molina. Malen's performance drew praise with an 8 from Gazzetta, Messaggero and Tempo, and 8.5 from Corriere. Soulé was marked 6.5 to 7.5 and was substituted at the 60th minute for Mora, who received 6.5 to 7. Paulo Dybala earned 6.5 to 7.5 before departing at the 84th minute for Marten de Roon. Gasperini received ratings of 7.5 to 8 for his management.

Donyell Malen has become a revelation for Roma since his arrival, scoring five goals in the first two Serie A matches of the 2026-27 season. The Dutch forward has completely transformed the club's attacking play, combining prolific finishing with an ability to create for teammates. In yesterday's fixture against Lecce, Soulé and Rodrigo Mora also found the net—Mora notably scoring after managing just one league goal throughout the previous season under Farioli. Roma have already struck eight goals across their opening two matches, a dramatic acceleration compared to last season when head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side required until 26 October, the eighth matchday, to reach that same tally. Only against Fiorentina and Verona last season had Roma scored twice in a single league match. The contrast with the previous year's attacking output is stark. The pairing of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson last season yielded just six goals combined in Serie A, while Malen has already reached five in two games. The attacking unit is set to strengthen further once Paulo Dybala and Santiago Castro return to full availability, and Roma are also pursuing an additional forward signing before the close of the transfer window.

Roma face a transfer impasse as Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling delays his decision to move to the Stadio Olimpico. Gian Piero Gasperini has requested an attacking winger, and the club has reached a broad agreement with Stuttgart in principle, but Leweling has not yet given his final approval to the transfer. The deadlock is testing the patience of the Roma fanbase and has prompted reactions from the entertainment world. Damiano David, the singer and former frontman of Måneskin, has publicly commented on the situation with his characteristic humour. David, a lifelong Roma supporter, posted on X in response to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio's coverage, describing Leweling's hesitation with the quip: "What a stinker." The comment quickly circulated online and drew support from numerous fans. This is not David's first public expression of opinion on Roma's transfer activity; he had commented only weeks earlier on the arrival of young prospect Rodrigo Mora with the remark: "It makes me want to cry." Roma's hierarchy and coaching staff share the frustration. The closing stages of the transfer window present the club with two routes forward: either unlock the Leweling deal or decisively pursue alternative targets to provide Gasperini with the attacking reinforcement he has demanded.

Negotiations over Christoph Leweling's transfer to Roma remain deadlocked, with the Stuttgart forward yet to agree to a move despite the club having reached a broad agreement on terms. Damiano David, the former Maneskin frontman, took to social media to criticise the impasse, posting: "Sto puzzone" — a barbed jab at the attacker's reluctance. David, a known Roma supporter, had previously commented on the summer arrival of Rodrigo Mora with the words: "Mi viene da piangere" (It makes me want to cry). With the transfer window closing, Roma and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini remain hopeful that Leweling will be the attacking addition they are pursuing in the final days of the market.