Man United reach personal terms with €60m midfield target Kone
The Red Devils have agreed a deal in principle with the French international as they push to finalise a move from Roma.
Manchester United remain locked in talks with Roma over a summer move for midfielder Manu Kone, with a breakthrough now close after the player accepted personal terms. The 25-year-old France international has emerged as a priority target for Erik ten Hag’s side, who view him as the missing piece in a revamped engine room.
Kone is valued at around €60m by the Serie A club, but United are believed to be working towards a fee closer to €50m. With both parties keen to reach a compromise, a deal in the region of €55m including add-ons is expected to be finalised in the coming days. The Red Devils have already held extensive talks with the player’s representatives and secured a preliminary agreement on wages and contract length.
The midfield department has been a focus for United this summer after last season’s inconsistency. They have already brought in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, but adding Kone would complete a unit capable of competing at the highest level. The Frenchman offers a blend of defensive steel and composure in possession, traits that have been lacking in United’s midfield since the departure of key figures.
What Kone would bring to Old Trafford
Kone impressed during his time at Roma and caught the eye at the World Cup with France, where his physicality and tactical intelligence were on show. He is comfortable playing as a deep-lying controller or a box-to-box presence, making him a versatile option for Ten Hag’s system. His ability to break up play and drive forward with the ball would add much-needed balance alongside the more creative Tielemans and the energetic Santos.
United have already missed out on one midfield target this window, Mateus Fernandes, and cannot afford to let another slip away. Interest from Saudi Arabian clubs remains a potential obstacle, but the player’s preference for a move to Old Trafford gives the Premier League side a clear advantage. With the new season approaching and Champions League football on the horizon, Ten Hag is pushing for a swift resolution.
Roma, meanwhile, are reluctant to lose a key asset but may be forced to sell to raise funds for their own recruitment. The two clubs are expected to enter formal negotiations imminently, with United hopeful of announcing the signing before the start of their pre-season tour. If completed, Kone would become United’s third midfield addition of the summer and a statement of intent for the campaign ahead.