Chelsea ‘agreed £51million Manu Kone transfer before fateful Lamine Camara deadline drama but key condition was missed’

CHELSEA reportedly came close to landing Manu Kone in the final days of the transfer window – only for Roma to pull the plug. The West Londoners banked £125million when they flogged Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City on deadline day. Chelsea agreed a big-money deal for Manu Kone before Roma pulled the plug Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Stamford Bridge chiefs also failed to land Lamine Camara on deadline day Credit: Getty But Chelsea chief Xabi Alonso has been left short of options in the middle of the park after Monaco blocked Lamine Camara’s move at the 11th hour. And it appears the Blues had already suffered a huge blow as they prepared to cash in on Fernandez. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! L’Equipe report Chelsea agreed a money-spinning £51m deal to sign Kone, 25, from Roma. But the Serie A giants were only prepared to finalise the paperwork if they brought in a replacement. After failing to recruit Youssouf Fofana from AC Milan or Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – who snubbed Newcastle’s advances earlier in the window – Roma told Chelsea that Kone would be going nowhere. Alonso had already spoken to the midfielder about how he would be used when he arrived at Stamford Bridge. Kone was also excited about the prospect of featuring in the Premier League for the first time. But, having shone as France bagged fourth place at the World Cup during the summer, the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach man was forced to stay at Roma. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Giallorossi boss Gian Piero Gasperini refused to sanction Kone’s exit without filling the void as he prepares to face the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester United in the Champions League. It left Chelsea in limbo before suffering a deadline day disaster when their move for Camara fell through. Blues chiefs are furious with Monaco after going against a verbal and written agreement to sell the Senegalese star, 22, at the last minute. Camara’s cash-strapped employers rejected the chance to sign a deal sheet, meaning the swoop could not be revived when team-mate Folarin Balogun backed out of a move to Everton. Chelsea were desperate to replace Enzo Fernandez Credit: Manchester City FC But Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro has hit back by defending his club’s conduct. Chelsea can still bring in free agents ahead of the transfer window reopening at the turn of the year. Comment now