Chelsea are now the bookies' favourites to be Manu Kone's next club if he leaves Roma amid interest from several Premier League sides.
Kone's impressive performances in France's midfield at the World Cup have seen him attract transfer interest from across Europe in this window.
The 25-year-old has been a regular for Roma since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024 and is looking to make the next step in his career.
Liverpool, Man United and Man City have each been linked to his services, with talkSPORT reporting this week that he is also on Chelsea's shortlist to potentially replace Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues look to be the frontrunners to sign him before next Tuesday's deadline now that two of the UK's top bookmakers have made them favourites to seal a deal.
Roma reportedly want around £50million to part ways with Kone in the last week of the summer window.
Chelsea become 6/4 favourites to sign Manu Kone ahead of PL clubs
Kone has risen to prominence at Roma and is now regarded as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in European football.
He registered five goal contributions in 37 appearances across all competitions last season as they finished third in Serie A.
Chelsea have him on their radar as Man City target Fernandez, with reports claiming that Adam Wharton, Alex Scott and Eduardo Camavinga also on their shortlist.
They could face stern competition for his services, with sources telling Football Insider last month that Liverpool had joined Man United in the race to sign Kone.
United look to have completed their midfield business, while City are prioritising Fernandez, so two top bookmakers have installed Chelsea as the 6/4 favourites to be Kone's next club if he leaves Roma.
Sources: Liverpool join race to sign Manu Kone after latest transfer mission Roma 'reluctantly' plan to accept 'big' Man United Manu Kone offer Didier Deschamps praised Kone at the World Cup
Kone proved that he can compete at the top level with several strong showings as France finished fourth at the World Cup in North America.
Deschamps gave him a start in four of their eight games, and was particularly impressed by Kone's performance in their 3-0 group stage win over Iraq.
