France international Manu Kone looks a good transfer option for Manchester United
France international Manu Kone looks a good transfer option for Manchester United
In recent months, Manchester United have been mentioned as suitors for central defender Evan Ndicka and central midfielder Manu Kone. AS Roma’s financial situation isn’t great and they can be forced to make major sales early this summer.
Earlier this year,Sport Witness covered how the Red Devils were competing with Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid for the midfielder. The Nerazzurri also tried to sign the Frenchman in the summer but Roma rejected a sale.
As for Ndicka, he joined for free in 2023. His growth since then has been significant, with Manchester United having madeinitial contact for the defender. This was causing panic at the Giallorossi, who wanted over€40m for a permanent sale.
Both the Ivorian and Kone are key players for Roma, who are struggling at sixth in the Serie A. All this can now play a role in their potential exits.
Financial problems at Roma’s door again
Tuttomercatoweb report that as per Roma’s agreement with UEFA from last year, they have to make one major sale ‘by June 30th’.
This would go down as a big capital gain and ease their finances. This would especially hold true if Gian Piero Gasperini’s side finish outside the top four and miss out on Champions League money.
Ndicka and Kone are key candidates to depart and assessments are underway to know if offers will arrive for them.
Matias Soule, Niccolo Pisilli and Mile Svilar are also players who will guarantee a big capital gain. But the Friedkin ownership will only accept sensational offers for them, with demands probably more reasonable for Kone and Ndicka.
This should appeal to Manchester United, with the centre-back likely available at around€35m. This is less than what has been previously reported and the nature of Ndicka’s free agency arrival is the main reason.
Kone, meanwhile, arrived for €20m and his improvement means he could command double that figure. Still, for Manchester United, he looks a good bet for their cheaper midfield arrival this summer.
Our take: Kone transfer makes more sense
Manchester United have multiple defensive options in the squad. Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, Matthijs De Ligt and even Luke Shaw can play at left centre-back. Lenny Yoro has also operated in that role.
The midfield remains a bothersome hole, as evident from the loss to Leeds United on Monday. Casemiro and perhaps Manuel Ugarte will leave, with 24-year-old Kone a superb candidate to replace at least one of the two.
The Frenchman is best as a number eight, which makes him a bit similar to Kobbie Mainoo. But considering how Manchester United needed a midfielder last summer, they need another proven number eight too.