Man Utd ‘open talks’ with £51m ace Manu Kone in switch combat with Liverpool and Arsenal
Manchester United are leading the race to sign Roma midfielder Manu Kone, who shone for for France at the World Cup, as Liverpool and Arsenal also chase the £51m star
Manu Kone is a man in demand after the World Cup(Image: Getty)
Manchester United are said to have opened formal discussions with Roma to sign £51m-rated France star Manu Kone.
United are trying to steal a march on bitter rivals Liverpool and Premier League champions Arsenal by acting fast to gain an advantage in the transfer battle to secure the acclaimed midfielder’s signature, according to French publication L’Equipe.
The midfielder was a sensation at the World Cup and his form for Les Bleus increased interest in his signing in numerous clubs. He succeeded in displacing Real Madrid ace Aurelien Tchouameni from the starting XI under Didier Deschamps and was subsequently a significant absence during France’s semi-final defeat to Spain, when he was carrying a minor injury he sustained against Morocco.
Manu Kone is a target for Manchester United(Image: Hector Vivas – FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
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Despite Roma securing Champions League qualification, they still require player sales and Kone was always the most probable candidate to generate substantial funds, with his displays leading to an escalating valuation.
Those in Italy also suspected that when United withdrew from pursuing Atalanta’s Ederson, it was because they had pinpointed an alternative target, reports the Mirror.
The 25-year-old’s displays have attracted praise from some of football’s finest, including fellow countryman and World Cup champion Patrick Vieira.
When discussing the midfielder during the tournament, he commented on ITV: “He had a really good season in Serie A with Roma. He came to the World Cup after a couple of injuries.”
Manu Kone in action for Roma
“He is for me today the best midfielder in France. I’d put him ahead of Tchaouameni and Rabiot, because he has this mobility, he is aggressive, he is a ball-winner, and he has the technical ability to be part of the build-up, has the facility with the ball to break lines and move forward.”
United have made strengthening their midfield a key objective this summer and, while they’ve already secured Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, they remain determined to add further quality in the centre of the park.
Their two acquisitions have set them back £85m, but they appear prepared to invest even more.
Kone would push their expenditure well beyond the £100m threshold and he would represent their first recruit from outside the Premier League, with the club currently focusing on domestic rivals before exploring foreign markets.
Arsenal have been associated with Kone but are equally strongly connected to Bruno Guimaraes, who has allegedly indicated his wish to depart Newcastle and join the newly-crowned champions.
