Manchester United swung for the fences on Aurelien Tchouameni. They missed. Now they’re looking at a different French midfielder — one who’s already made a name for himself in Serie A and on the international stage.
Manu Kone, the 25-year-old AS Roma midfielder, has emerged as a serious target for United in recent days, according to multiple reports out of Italy. The club has made inquiries about his availability, and while Roma isn’t exactly eager to sell, they’ve set a price tag that could make this happen: roughly €50 million.
That’s about £42.7 million for those keeping score at home.
United’s pursuit of Kone comes after Tchouameni decided to extend his stay at Real Madrid, effectively ending what the club had hoped would be a transformative midfield addition. The Athletic had previously reported United were “ready” to make a play for the Real Madrid star, but that door closed quickly.
So United pivoted.
Kone isn’t a consolation prize though. At 6’1″, he brings serious athleticism and physicality — the same kind of presence Ederson of Atalanta provides. And Ederson is literally in England right now for his medical with United, which makes this interesting. If the Ederson deal falls through, Kone becomes Plan B. But there’s a case to be made that Kone might be the better fit anyway.
Why Kone Might Be the Better Get
Technically speaking, Kone is probably ahead of Ederson. His ball-carrying ability has impressed at Roma and with the French national team. And here’s the thing: Didier Deschamps has actually trusted Kone over Tchouameni at times, especially when Tchouameni was dealing with injuries around the World Cup. France’s midfield has looked more fluid with Kone in it, at least in possession.
That’s not nothing. Tchouameni is a world-class talent, but Kone has quietly outplayed him in certain situations for Les Bleus.
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport reports that United sees Kone as “one of the most promising prospects” available this summer. Roma values him at that €50 million figure, and while they’re not in any rush to sell, the Giallorossi will listen to offers that meet their demands. La Repubblica, via RomaPress, says United made an approach “in the last few hours.”
Translation: this is moving fast.
United’s midfield needs are well documented. They’ve been hunting for a dominant presence in the middle of the park all summer, and while Ederson is reportedly close to signing, Kone offers a different — maybe even better — skill set. He’s technically gifted, physically imposing, and already proven at the international level.
The question now is whether Roma will actually let him go. They don’t need to sell, but €50 million is real money. If United comes with that offer, things could change quickly in Rome.
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