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Kone? Camara? Chelsea working hard to bring in Fernandez replacement

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Chelsea are working hard to line up a replacement for Enzo Fernandez before the transfer deadline.

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Roma's Manu Kone and Monaco's Lamine Camara © Getty

Chelsea are working hard to line up a replacement for Enzo Fernandez before the transfer deadline.

On top of Monaco's Lamine Camara and Roma's Manu Kone, they are also looking at midfield options in the Premier League.

Chelsea's plan is to bring in one midfielder to replace Enzo Fernandez, who is set to join Manchester City for £125m.

Chelsea close to agreeing deal for Roma's Kone

Chelsea are considering Manu Kone to replace Enzo Fernandez
Image: Chelsea are considering Manu Kone to replace Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea are close to an agreement to sign France midfielder Kone, but Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is trying to keep hold of the player, according to Sky in Italy.

A deal worth £52m was understood to have been discussed, with talks also advancing to see winger Jamie Gittens head in the other direction on loan.

Chelsea's negotiations continue for both Kone and Gittens, but Gasperini's reluctance to let Kone go is an obstacle to overcome.

Gapserini pushed for Kone to stay when he arrived as head coach and was instrumental in securing the France midfielder's immediate future.

Roma are working on either AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana or Marseille's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace Kone.

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Chelsea have bid rejected for Camara

Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara
Image: Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara

Meanwhile, Monaco have rejected a £38.5m bid from Chelsea for Camara.

Chelsea are working hard to line up a replacement for Fernandez before the deadline.

On top of Camara and Kone, they are also looking at midfield options in the Premier League.

Could Kone fill Fernandez's shoes?

Analysis by Sky Sports' Nick Wright:

Kone has pedigree as a 19-cap France international who, at 25, and with his peak years still ahead of him, has already impressed in Italy, Germany and his homeland, demonstrating a capacity to adapt which could serve him well in the Premier League.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has good athleticism and technical quality. Like the player he is in line to replace at Chelsea, he can operate at both No 6 and No 8, although it is at the base of midfield that he is most comfortable.

That may suit Alonso given his favoured, three-at-the-back system leaves little room for the No 8 role in which Fernandez previously excelled for the club. It may also suit Kone, who can defend, pass and carry but doesn't offer the same level of attacking threat.

Enzo Fernandez Manu Kone comparison

Fernandez thrived in that sense at Chelsea. The Argentina international contributed an impressive total of 16 goals and 11 assists in the last two Premier League seasons.

Chelsea might need to find those goals and assists elsewhere in his squad if he goes, with Kone, a player who has different strengths, having provided only two and five respectively in league games for Roma in the same timeframe.

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