Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that midfielder Manu Kone could have joined Chelsea during the recent transfer window.
The Blues were determined to land a new midfielder over the summer after offloading Enzo Fernandez to arch-rivals Manchester City.
A verbal agreement was reached with AS Monaco for Lamine Camara, but the French outfit eventually pulled the plug on the proposed transfer.
Kone was mentioned as a target for the Blues towards the deadline but nothing materialised with the Giallorossi reluctant to do business.
Gasperini has now revealed that Kone could have ended up at Chelsea before the window closed, but there was little time left for a deal.
The Serie A giants wanted a quality replacement in place for the Frenchman to sanction his sale, but they could not find one to permit his exit.
Kone has been a key player for the Giallorossi since, but there is a possibility that Chelsea could return for his services in January.
