Manchester United are weighing up an official bid for Roma midfielder Manu Kone in the coming days, though they are also assessing other options to bolster their midfield ahead of their return to the Champions League. This comes as the club has officially ended their pursuit of Atalanta’s Ederson Silva, a deal previously agreed at £35 million, due to concerns over a knee issue, despite Atalanta maintaining the player is fully fit.
United have already secured the signings of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50 million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million, totaling £85 million in midfield reinforcements. The club originally planned for three midfield additions, a plan adjusted following a season-ending injury to Manuel Ugarte. They are now seeking a more defensively-minded player to complete the overhaul.
According to Fabrizio Romano, contacts have been established with Kone’s representatives, but no formal bid has been submitted to Roma. United are pleased with their existing acquisitions and are taking a measured approach to finding the right third midfielder, prioritizing someone “defensive, physical, someone who can break the lines.”
Fulham’s Sander Berge is also under consideration, with sources indicating United’s decision-makers have been impressed by Kone’s development over the past year, particularly his performances for Roma and the French national team. Roma are reportedly willing to allow Kone to leave this summer, and the player is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford.
The collapse of the Ederson deal has been described as “embarrassing” by Romano, with numerous reports incorrectly suggesting United might revisit the transfer. The Brazilian has since signed a new contract with Atalanta, definitively ending any possibility of a move to Manchester. The failed pursuit of Ederson allows United to focus their resources on Kone and other potential targets.
United’s potential acquisition of Kone, valued around £51 million, would bring their total spending on midfield reinforcements to approximately £135 million, a figure considered reasonable given the inflated transfer market. The club hopes to provide manager Michael Carrick with a significantly improved midfield capable of challenging for the Premier League title.
