Inter Milan target Roma's Manu Koné in midfield reshuffle
Inter Milan have identified AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné as their primary transfer target this summer, according to reports from Italy. The Nerazzurri are aiming to secure the French midfielder in a deal that could trigger a wider domino effect across Serie A and Europe's midfield market.
Inter's interest in Koné is long-standing, having pursued the player last summer before Roma's management pulled out of negotiations late in the process. The club's sporting director, Cristian Chivu, is reportedly keen to add a player of Koné's physical and technical profile to his squad. The 22-year-old is viewed as the ideal box-to-box midfielder to bring muscle, running power, and quality to Inter's engine room.
The move is considered plausible due to Roma's financial situation. The Giallorossi are operating under a UEFA Settlement Agreement, which mandates financial restructuring and the generation of mandatory capital gains by June 2026. Selling Koné, who was signed for approximately 18 million euros and could now command a fee of 40 million euros or more, represents a significant opportunity for Roma to balance their books. Inter are aware of this dynamic and are positioned to potentially capitalize on it.
Koné's potential arrival at San Siro could signal a tactical shift. While it is too early to confirm, sources suggest Chivu may consider moving away from the 3-5-2 formation used under Simone Inzaghi, with Koné's characteristics fitting a new system. His signing would address a need that Inter failed to fill in the previous transfer window.
The pursuit of Koné is part of a broader search for a specific midfield type across Italy's top clubs. This has also placed Atalanta's Ederson and Benfica's Richard Rios on the radar of several teams. However, Ederson now appears destined for a reunion with former Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini at Atletico Madrid, alongside other former Bergamo players. Rios, meanwhile, is close to joining Roma and has also been monitored by Inter, but could ultimately end up at Napoli as they consider their own midfield overhaul.
For Inter, securing Koné would represent a major coup, landing a long-admired player who fits their strategic vision. For Roma, the sale would provide crucial financial relief while dealing a strengthening blow to a direct rival. The coming weeks are expected to bring increased clarity as the summer transfer window approaches.
