Roma boss Gasperini denies possibility of Manu Kone’s late move to Chelsea

Serie A side Roma picked up another convincing 4-0 win today, this time putting away Lecce with ease. Manu Kone, who has been linked with a host of clubs in England, started the tie and played a key role in the outcome too.

This came hours after Chelsea have been mentioned as possible suitors for the Frenchman today. Kone is said to be viewed as a possible replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who could yet end up at Manchester City.

After the win over Lecce though, Gian Piero Gasperini was asked about the midfielder's future in Rome and if he could yet leave – possibly to Chelsea.

The Italian denied Kone is for sale, shutting down suggestions of a late transfer.

He told the press – via SiamoLaRoma : " Absolutely not, it's a media thing. No one has ever spoken to me about departures, not Koné or anyone else. Especially now, with just 24 hours to go before the transfer window closes."

Gasperini also clarified the Friedkin ownership's stance about Kone's possible exit.

"I also know that the owners aren't in favor of any sales. I don't know who has come forward because we've never received any official offers there either, so this too must be denied."

Gasperini's comments may have been taken with a grain of salt on any other occasion. But besides the lack of time left to find a replacement, he also revealed Roma are still short of numbers in the squad.

He said: "You can't always have Dybala and Malen. Today we only had two players on the bench in attack. We'll have Pellegrini and Rensch back. But you have to remember that there's always someone out. Today we lost Ndicka suddenly."

"Anyone who plays in the Champions League, in particular, must have a strong squad with players who don't feel the impact so severely when you lose someone, as happened last year at a certain point in the season. The owners are certainly putting in the effort, within what they can do, in cutting the number of signings they can achieve."

The Roma boss' comments clearly suggest that if Kone still departs, he could well ask questions of the ownership about the decision. That confrontational approach is almost second nature to the Italian, by now.