Manchester United have identified Roma midfielder Manu Kone as a potential transfer target, according to TEAMtalk. The club is seeking to add three new central midfielders this summer and has already secured deals for Atalanta’s Ederson and Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, totaling approximately £85 million.
United’s pursuit of Kone comes after hopes of signing Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid were dashed, with Jose Mourinho confirming the Spanish club’s intention to offer the player a new contract through to 2031. The Red Devils had previously considered Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali, but those moves did not materialize. While players like Carlos Baleba, Alex Scott, Tyler Adams, and Adam Wharton are also of interest, their valuations have proven challenging.
Kone, 25, made 37 appearances for Roma across all competitions last season, scoring twice and providing three assists. He has also impressed for France, showcasing the athleticism and technical ability that have attracted attention from several European clubs. He joined Roma from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024 for a fee under £20 million.
Roma are reportedly open to selling Kone to meet UEFA’s financial regulations, viewing him as their most valuable saleable asset. The Italian side could be willing to accept a fee of around £50 million for the Frenchman. Intermediaries have already engaged with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool, gauging interest in a potential transfer, and have indicated Kone is keen on a move to England.
For Manchester United, the financial aspects of the deal are appealing, having already spent under £100 million on Ederson and Santos. This leaves sufficient budget to pursue Kone, alongside potential signings in the forward and left-back positions before the transfer window closes. Should Roma accept a fee around £50 million, they would double their initial investment in the player after just one season.
