Manchester United have commenced formal negotiations with Roma to secure the services of French international midfielder Manu Koné, according to reports from L’Equipe. The Old Trafford club currently holds the advantage in the pursuit of the player, effectively moving ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal. While two other English clubs have expressed interest, with Liverpool believed to be among them, Manchester United are seen as the frontrunners in the race.
The midfielder's market value has seen a significant increase in recent months, rising from a previous valuation of €50 million to at least €60 million. This surge follows his impressive performances during the 2026 World Cup, where he notably displaced Aurelien Tchouameni in the starting lineup and was considered a major loss to the squad when he was omitted for the semi-final against Spain. Patrick Vieira has publicly praised the player, describing him as the best midfielder currently available to France and suggesting that a valuation of €60 million is too low for a talent of his caliber, arguing he should be worth at least €70 million.
Despite Roma securing qualification for the Champions League, the club remains in a position where they must facilitate player sales to generate funds. Koné has long been identified as the most likely candidate to command a significant transfer fee. Recent reports represent an escalation in the situation, as previous updates indicated that only the player's entourage had been contacted, rather than the club itself.
Although Roma qualified for the Champions League, they still need sales to raise funds, and Koné was always the most likely to bring in a big cash sum.
It is an advance from the last few days, when Italian reports noted that only the player’s entourage had been contacted, not yet Roma.
