Liverpool Reportedly Monitoring Roma Midfielder Kone, Who Came Close to Joining Chelsea This Summer

Liverpool are reportedly emerging as potential suitors for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, who also came very close to joining Chelsea this summer.

Chelsea once came close to signing Kone

According to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein in a Q&A column, Chelsea had previously shown strong interest in Kone, but later turned their attention to Monaco's Lamine Camara late in the summer transfer window, although that deal ultimately also failed to materialize. Ornstein said: “Manu Kone is at Roma. He was very close to joining Chelsea before Chelsea turned to Camara.”

Liverpool list Kone as one of their future options

Ornstein added that Liverpool are also interested in Kone and view him as one of their potential future options. He said: “I think Liverpool like him too, as one of the possible options for the future.” He also stated that Liverpool need to assess several midfield options, with Camara being one of them and Kone also among the players they are monitoring. In addition, Ornstein reminded readers not to forget that Liverpool already have Trey Nyoni in their squad, with the young player's performances making a strong impression.

The need for midfield reinforcement emerges

Liverpool's start to the season has not been particularly convincing, with two draws and one win from their first three Premier League matches. Following the arrival of new head coach Andoni Iraola, the team was always going to need a period of adaptation, but there have also been some questions about the club's work in the transfer market. Although Liverpool signed marquee attacking player Bradley Barcola in the final stages of the summer transfer window, there still appears to be room for reinforcement in midfield.