Chelsea could be forced into one of their biggest decisions of deadline day if Enzo Fernandez completes a £120million move to Manchester City, with Manu Koné emerging as the leading candidate to replace him.
City have now moved beyond interest and opened direct negotiations with Chelsea for Fernandez.
Chelsea are prepared to sell for the right price, but losing the Argentina international would leave Xabi Alonso needing another midfielder before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.
The Guardian reports that Chelsea have considered Roma’s Manu Koné, Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara and Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White as possible replacements.
But one option has moved ahead.
Manu Koné becomes Chelsea’s priority
Koné currently appears the most realistic indication of where Chelsea want to go.
ReadChelsea reported on Monday that Chelsea had made Koné their new midfield priority after their pursuit of Camara cooled.
The Blues have already contacted the France international’s representatives, although Roma want to keep him and no formal Chelsea bid had been submitted by Monday evening.
Koné would bring athleticism and ball-carrying ability to Alonso’s midfield while providing a more physical presence alongside Moises Caicedo.
The problem is time.
Chelsea would need to persuade Roma to sanction the departure of an important player and complete negotiations in a matter of hours.
Lamine Camara move could yet return
Camara looked considerably closer to Stamford Bridge only 24 hours ago.
Chelsea spent several days in negotiations with Monaco before reports claimed a £39m agreement in principle had been reached.
That version of events was subsequently disputed, before Santi Aouna reported the Camara move was off for the moment as Chelsea prioritised Koné.
Camara therefore enters deadline day behind the Roma midfielder.
Chelsea have already done considerable work on a potential transfer, however, so he remains an obvious player to revisit if negotiations for Koné become impossible.
ReadChelsea has previously examined how Camara’s mobility and progressive qualities could fit Alonso’s midfield.
Morgan Gibbs-White offers different solution
Gibbs-White is the wildcard.
BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel has reported that the Nottingham Forest midfielder features among Chelsea’s possible Fernandez replacements, while The Guardian also lists him among the options being considered.
He would offer something different to Koné or Camara.
Gibbs-White is more naturally suited to advanced areas and could add another creative option rather than providing a direct stylistic replacement for Fernandez.
A deadline-day move would also require Chelsea to prise an important player away from Forest at extremely short notice.
For now, Koné enters the final day at the front of Chelsea’s queue.
But Fernandez’s £120m future must first be resolved, and Chelsea could have only hours to replace him if Manchester City’s talks finally produce an agreement.
