Manchester United Already Made Contact for Roma’s Manu Koné. What Happens Next.

Manchester United just signed two midfielders this summer. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans are both through the door. But according to Fabrizio Romano, the club might not be done yet. They’ve already reached out to the camp of AS Roma’s Manu Koné.

The 25-year-old French international is coming off a World Cup where France got bounced earlier than expected. That elimination means all focus now shifts to his club future. And right now that future looks pretty uncertain in Rome.

Roma’s money problem is real

Roma would prefer to keep Koné. That’s what manager Gian Piero Gasperini said. But he also didn’t sugarcoat the situation. When asked directly about the midfielder’s future, Gasperini admitted it’s undeniable that Roma have to balance the books. He added that reaching the Champions League should help, but balance sheets are essential for clubs, and there will be more clarity in the coming weeks.

That’s not exactly a vote of confidence for fans hoping Koné sticks around.

Roma reportedly values him at €55 million. That’s a decent chunk of change for a box-to-box midfielder who came up through Toulouse and has become a regular for France. But if Roma needs to raise funds through player sales this summer, Koné is one of the most sellable assets they’ve got.

United isn’t the only club watching

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier this week that Manchester United were preparing a bid. L’Équipe also mentioned Arsenal as a potential suitor. But it’s United who have taken the first concrete step by making contact with Koné’s representatives, per Romano.

So why would United go after another midfielder when they just added Santos and Tielemans? Maybe they’re planning ahead for departures. Maybe they see Koné as a different profile — more physical, more disruptive in the middle third. Or maybe they just don’t want to miss out if a player of his caliber becomes available. The club hasn’t confirmed anything publicly, but the pattern of their summer business suggests they’re not done shopping.

Koné turns 26 during the 2027 season. He’s at that age where his next contract will likely be his biggest one. And if Roma is forcing a sale, the buying clubs know they’ve got leverage. Negotiations could get interesting.

For now it’s a lot of smoke. But when a club like United makes direct contact with a player’s camp, that’s usually more than just tire-kicking.