World Cup Breakout Manu Koné Could Be on the Move as Roma Needs to Sell

Manu Koné has been one of the pleasant surprises of the 2026 World Cup for France. The 25-year-old Roma midfielder stepped in for an injured Aurélien Tchouaméni and held his own against Morocco in the quarterfinals. He might be back on the bench for Tuesday’s semifinal against Spain, but his stock has clearly risen.

What happens to him after the tournament is a completely different question. And it’s a complicated one.

Koné is a key player at Roma. He starts regularly. He plays big minutes. But the club has a problem that has nothing to do with his performance: they need to balance the books this summer. Even making the Champions League next season doesn’t solve it entirely.

Roma’s Manager Isn’t Hiding the Financial Reality

Gian Piero Gasperini was asked directly about Koné’s future recently. He didn’t dodge. “It is undeniable that Roma have to balance the books,” Gasperini said. “I hope that reaching the Champions League will be enough, but it is clear that balance sheets are essential for clubs, and there will be more clarity in the coming weeks.”

That’s about as honest as you’ll get from a manager in these situations. He’s not saying Koné is for sale. But he’s not saying he isn’t, either.

Manchester United and Arsenal Are Both Paying Attention

According to reports out of Italy, Manchester United is preparing a formal bid. La Gazzetta dello Sport has the story. Arsenal is also in the mix, per L’Équipe in France. Meanwhile, Corriere dello Sport puts Roma’s asking price at about €55 million.

That’s not cheap, but it’s not outrageous for a midfielder who just turned 25, has World Cup experience under his belt, and is still under contract. The question is whether Roma ends up needing the cash more than they need the player.

Koné isn’t the only one who could go. Roma has a few other assets that might be moved to balance things out. But he’s probably the most valuable one who also has suitors ready to pull the trigger. United needs midfield help pretty badly. Arsenal could use depth there too.

It’s worth watching how the semifinal goes. If Koné gets minutes against Spain and plays well, that price tag might hold steady. If he sits the whole game, it might not matter. Either way, Roma has a decision to make pretty soon after the World Cup ends.