Manchester United’s pursuit of AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone has hit a potential snag, with the player reportedly holding out for a possible offer from Paris Saint-Germain. According to Il Tempo, Kone remains open to a move to Old Trafford but is prioritizing an approach from the Ligue 1 champions.
United had reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Kone over personal terms and were prepared to submit a bid of around €50 million (£42.6m, $57m) for the 25-year-old, as reported by Corriere dello Sport. However, PSG have yet to make a concrete move, leaving the door open for United, though Kone is still hoping for a call from Luis Enrique’s side.
United have been actively seeking midfield reinforcements this summer, having already secured the signings of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Manager Michael Carrick is aiming to strengthen the squad ahead of a campaign that includes Champions League football and a challenge for the Premier League title. The initial interest in Kone surfaced on July 9, with sources indicating Roma were seeking £50 million for the France international.
Alongside Kone, United are also strongly considering a move for Carlos Baleba. The 22-year-old Cameroon international was a target last summer, but Brighton and Hove Albion’s valuation of over £100 million proved prohibitive. TEAMtalk understands that United still hold a strong interest in Baleba, believing he would be an “outstanding fit” for the team, despite an inconsistent season with Brighton. United now value Baleba at around £50 million, a figure Brighton are unlikely to accept.
Sky Sports reported on July 23 that both Baleba and Kone remain key midfield options under consideration by United. While the situation with Kone is complicated by PSG’s potential interest, the pursuit of Baleba offers United a viable alternative as they look to bolster their midfield options before the start of the new season. Securing either player would add depth and quality to United’s engine room, enhancing their chances of success on multiple fronts.
