Roma have ruled out the sale of Manu Kone to Chelsea, while continuing to pursue a possible loan deal for Jamie Gittens and making a final attempt to sign VfB Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling.
Sky Sport Italia, following a report by Gazzetta, says Roma have stopped negotiations over a potential transfer that would have taken France midfielder Kone to Stamford Bridge.
The discussions were reportedly conducted at ownership level between Chelsea and Roma. However, Roma manager Gasperini and sporting director Tony D’Amico were strongly opposed to the move and made clear that the club did not want to lose one of its key midfielders.
Chelsea had been prepared to include Gittens in the proposed agreement. The winger has been a long-standing target for Roma and was reportedly set to join the Italian club on loan as part of the deal for Kone.
Although the transfer involving Kone has now been blocked, Roma remain interested in bringing Gittens to the Olimpico on a temporary basis. The club’s pursuit of the Chelsea winger is therefore separate from the terms that had been discussed for the French midfielder’s departure.
Roma are also expected to make one final effort to sign Leweling from Stuttgart. That move appears considerably more difficult, however, because the Germany international has already rejected an offer from the Giallorossi.
Transfer expert Florian Plettenberg said on X: “Unless something unexpected happens, Jamie Leweling will stay at VfB Stuttgart. The 25 y/o Germany international has rejected all offers, including one from AS Roma. Everton also made a concrete offer late last night, but a stay is now expected.”
Leweling has therefore turned down proposals from Roma and Everton, with his continued stay at VfB Stuttgart now regarded as the most likely outcome unless there is a late change.
Roma’s immediate focus is consequently split between retaining Kone and exploring attacking options. Their decision to reject Chelsea’s approach means the midfielder is expected to remain with the Giallorossi, while Gittens remains a player they would still like to recruit if a loan agreement can be reached.
The developments leave Roma attempting to strengthen their squad without sacrificing Kone, whose importance to the midfield led the club’s sporting leadership to oppose the Chelsea proposal. At the same time, their interest in Leweling is being tested by the player’s previous refusal and by competition from Everton.
The report was written by Lorenzo Bettoni, editor of Football Italia.
