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Manu Kone has emerged as a key goal for Manchester United with the AS Roma midfielder mentioned to be “very eager” on a change to Outdated Trafford, in line with a well-placed Italian journalist.
A Midfield Rebuild
The Crimson Devils are prioritising an overhaul of Ruben Amorim’s midfield subsequent yr with uncertainty over the long-term futures of the present cohort.
Casemiro’s contract expires on the finish of the season whereas Bruno Fernandes solid doubt he’ll stay on the Theatre of Goals past the summer time in an explosive interview with Portuguese media launched final week.
The skilled duo have shaped Amorim’s first-choice partnership this season, with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte failing to impress of their stead, and struggling for minutes in consequence.
Mainoo requested to go away on mortgage in August and the 20-year-old midfielder is anticipated to push as soon as once more for a brief exit in January. The latest damage to Fernandes is prone to scupper this, nonetheless.
Ugarte, 24, has been linked with a transfer to Galatasaray with the Uruguayan having didn’t adapt to the physicality of Premier League soccer following his £52 million transfer from Paris-Saint Germain final yr.
However the truth there are query marks over all 4 of Amorim’s senior midfielders explains why the engine room is the main target for United executives — and why Kone is a wise goal.
United’s main targets in midfield are Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), with the membership persevering with its mannequin of prioritising gamers with confirmed Premier League pedigree.
Nonetheless, all three are anticipated to price upwards of £100m, making the prospect of signing two a distant one, given funds may also should be allotted elsewhere on the pitch.
Moreover, every midfielder will function extremely on the want record of home rivals, with Anderson specifically set for a three-way battle between United, Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool. Wharton can also be being intently monitored within the north west of England and west London.
As such, sourcing a less expensive various on the continent is an astute resolution by United executives.
Eager Kone
As relayed by Sports activities Witness, Italian reporter Francesca Teodori reveals Kone — Roma’s midfield dynamo — is about to finish a switch to the Crimson Devils subsequent summer time.
The France worldwide is described as “very eager” on the transfer, with Teodori having been “advised by a number of sources” that the 24-year-old will depart the Italian capital in June to affix United.
Roma have themselves been linked with Joshua Zirkzee on a mortgage cope with an obligation to purchase come the summer time.
However United usually are not anticipated to entertain this provide till the African Cup of Nations has entered, with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad — two of Amorim’s best attackers — away with their nations.
Teodori reveals she has no affirmation on whether or not the pursuit of Zirkzee is in any approach linked to United’s curiosity in Kone, however signifies it’s a risk the Dutch ahead “may need been included as a kind of counterpart”.
Kone has established himself as one of the full midfielders in Serie A since becoming a member of Roma on mortgage in 2024, earlier than making the transfer everlasting this summer time.
Standing 6’1, with a well-rounded skillset and excellent dribbling, the Frenchman is a superb slot in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system — the identical one Roma supervisor Gian Gasperini employes, with Kone on the coronary heart of his midfield.
A payment within the area of €50-60m is prone to carry Roma to the negotiating desk, virtually half the quantity United’s first-choice choices in England will price.
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