The summer has been one of the most frustrating in recent Manchester United history.
Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali.
Three midfielders they wanted.
Three deals that went elsewhere.
But the rebuild is happening anyway.
Ederson has arrived from Atalanta.
Andrey Santos is joining from Chelsea.
And now, a third midfield signing is closing in.
Manchester United plot £50m move for Roma’s Manu Kone as INEOS get green light to complete third midfield signing
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United have added Manu Kone to their shortlist after being informed that the Roma midfielder is keen to test himself in the Premier League, and that the Italian club are willing to sell for the right price.
That price is around £50 million.
Roma need player sales to meet UEFA’s financial regulations despite qualifying for the Champions League, and Kone is considered their most valuable saleable asset.
For Manchester United, the financial logic is compelling.
Ederson and Andrey Santos have arrived for a combined fee of around £85 million, with both expected to undergo their medicals this week.
That still leaves room in the budget for a third midfielder.
And Kone’s profile fits exactly what Michael Carrick needs.
The 25-year-old played as a defensive midfielder and box-to-box option across 37 appearances for Roma last season, contributing two goals and three assists while demonstrating the athleticism and technical quality that have attracted admirers from across Europe.
His World Cup campaign for France has only enhanced his reputation further.
The dream target was Aurelien Tchouameni.
But José Mourinho has decided Real Madrid will keep the France international, blocking that avenue and forcing United to accelerate alternatives.
Kone, available for £50 million with a selling club actively pushing the deal, represents a cleaner, more straightforward opportunity.
He only joined Roma from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2024 for under £20 million.
A £50 million sale would more than double their investment after just one season.
Everyone wins, if United move quickly enough.
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