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Transfer window closes: Koné linked with Chelsea exit, Roma eye Mandela Keita
·1 September 2026·45d ago

Transfer window closes: Koné linked with Chelsea exit, Roma eye Mandela Keita

Source: Roma News

AS Roma's summer transfer window closed officially on Monday, 1 September, ending a final day of frantic activity. The club pursued an attacking addition until the deadline to provide head coach Gian Piero Gasperini with an outside forward to complement an attack that has been dominating in Serie A, but without success.

Meanwhile, midfield options shifted as the window shut. Manu Koné is reported to be close to a move to Chelsea, opening a potential gap in Roma's options. In response, the club has been considering Mandela Keita as a potential solution for the attacking midfield or forward areas.

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Story Coverage12 sources on this story

Roma's summer transfer window closed on 1 September with the club having failed to secure a left-sided attacking winger—the primary objective identified by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini from his arrival. Despite substantial investment exceeding €100 million and a firm decision to retain all key players including Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen and Manu Koné, the most pressing tactical need went unfilled. Multiple sources confirm Roma pursued several targets in the final hours without success: Jamie Leweling rejected the club's offer to remain at Stuttgart; Jamie Bynoe-Gittens could not be signed because Chelsea refused to entertain a loan arrangement; and Juan Cabal stayed at Juventus after the Turin club declined to release him without securing their own replacement, reportedly for Nicolás Tagliafico. GialloRossi.net reports that Luiz Henrique from Zenit emerged as a late alternative on loan with a €30 million purchase option, though complications over agent commissions left the deal unclear as the deadline approached.

Roma's recruitment drive saw eight major arrivals including Donyell Malen, Santiago Castro, Nahuel Molina, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Rodrigo Mora, Leonardo Balerdi, Marten de Roon and Daniele Ghilardi. Several departures were confirmed: Neil El Aynaoui joined RB Leipzig on loan with a €25 million purchase option; Robinio Vaz moved to Hull City; Mattia Mannini joined Benevento on loan; and Artem Dovbyk, Zeki Çelik and Angeliño among others departed. Malen has opened the season with five Serie A goals in two matches. However, the squad numbers 20 outfield players, two fewer than Gasperini requested. While radio pundit Roberto Pruzzo urged patience, noting the squad's core strength remains intact, others highlighted the absent winger as a structural limitation that leaves Roma without the creative attacking profile their coach specifically demanded.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

“Ultimi seicento minuti di trattative ed emozioni. Oggi, lunedì 1° settembre, si è chiuso ufficialmente la sessione estiva del calciomercato. La Roma ha provato fino all’ultimo a regalare a Gian Piero Gasperini l’ultimo tassello per l’attacco, l’esterno offensivo da affiancare al reparto avanzato…”

Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.

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