{"id":16284,"date":"2026-07-11T00:30:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T00:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=16284"},"modified":"2026-07-11T00:30:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T00:30:47","slug":"chelsea-may-have-the-perfect-bargaining-chip-to-go-and-sign-43m-world-cup-player-in-a-swap-deal-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=16284","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea may have the perfect bargaining chip to go and sign \u00a343m World Cup player in a swap deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-376887\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Chelsea have been keen to engage in swap deals under the BlueCo ownership, and may have the best bargaining chip at their disposal to try and sign France\u2019s Manu Kone.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kone has started to force himself into the France squad at the World Cup, starting the quarter-final victory against Morocco.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>Chelsea are reportedly rivalling Arsenal for his signature this summer after an impressive season with Roma. He made 49 tackles and 127 recoveries in just 29 Serie A appearances last season.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"9f9bce51-3ee6-4734-8904-859fef826480\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! \ud83c\udfc6<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso graphic\" class=\"wp-image-376350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Credit: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty\">Credit: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-could-use-alejandro-garnacho-in-manu-kone-swap-deal\">Chelsea could use Alejandro Garnacho in Manu Kone swap deal<\/h2>\n<p>Roma have set a \u00a343m price tag on their midfielder (OneFootball), and with Chelsea\u2019s finances being scrutinised they may look to offload players in any deal they complete.<\/p>\n<p>One player the Blues have decided they do not want to continue with is Alejandro Garnacho, after his nightmare first season at Stamford Bridge that consisted of just one Premier League goal.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2276714014-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2276714014-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2276714014-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2276714014-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2276714014-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2276714014-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2276714014-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on May 19, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images)\">Photo by Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Roma have been linked to Garnacho, with him proving popular amongst a number of Serie A clubs. However, they are unlikely to spend the money Chelsea are hoping to receive.<\/p>\n<p>This is why a swap deal could be a real possibility for both sides, with Roma braced for interest in their midfielder.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea are in the market for new midfielder this summer, with Andrey Santos set to be announced as a new Manchester United player on Friday.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar-poll\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"b8cda654-92aa-42a1-9ae6-69f548d96f08\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\" data-poll-id=\"17205401\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Who is the best \u00a3100m midfielder in the Premier League?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"713\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2184024975-1024x713.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea's Moises Caicedo and Arsenal's Declan Rice confronting each other\" class=\"wp-image-267596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2184024975-1024x713.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2184024975-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2184024975-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2184024975-1536x1069.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2184024975-1140x793.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2184024975-750x522.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Declan Rice of Arsenal has words with Moises Caicedo of Chelsea  during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on November 10, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>There is also a real risk that the Blues still lose Enzo Fernandez this summer too. He is desperate to complete a move to Real Madrid, however is currently being priced out of that move.<\/p>\n<p>Kone would represent a sensible option for Chelsea to sign this summer, with him immediately ready to make a contribution to the first team squad.<\/p>\n<p>He would likely find himself partnered with Moises Caicedo at Stamford Bridge, a pairing which is not too dissimilar from the N\u2019Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic duo which helped Chelsea win the Premier League nearly a decade ago.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/chelsea-may-have-the-perfect-bargaining-chip-to-go-and-sign-43m-world-cup-player-in-a-swap-deal\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Chelsea may have the perfect bargaining chip to go and sign \u00a343m World Cup player in a swap deal',content_category:'Opinion',content_ids:(376887,\"alejandro-garnacho\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Chelsea have been keen to engage in swap deals&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16284\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}