EXCLUSIVE: Emmanuel Petit believes Arsenal should sign one France international currently impressing at the World Cup
07:00, 11 Jul 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta is keen to improve his squad ahead of the 2026/27 season (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Arsenal transfer target Manu Kone would be a "great addition" to the squad, according to Emmanuel Petit. The 25-year-old midfielder is being tracked by the Gunners as Andrea Berta scours the market for a new midfielder.
While Bruno Guimaraes is another genuine option, Kone has impressed on the world stage at this summer's World Cup and shown he has what it takes to make the step up from Roma. The former Toulouse and Borussia Monchengladbach man has started four of France's six games at the tournament and helped his country reach the semi-finals on Thursday with a 2-0 victory over Morocco.
According to reports in Italy, Arsenal have already held talks with Kone's representatives and agreed personal terms over a move after the World Cup. The next step is to negotiate a fee with Roma, who value him at £43million.
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Former Arsenal and France international Petit has tracked Kone throughout his career and believes he has the attributes to be a success in the Premier League. Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds, Petit said: "Manu Kone has the potential, physically, mentally, and technically.
"There are many things he can do in the middle of the park; he can recover the ball, play in transition, and be box-to-box. He still has a big margin for improvement, so he is already a good player who can become a very good one. He would be a great signing for the team in terms of quality and mentality. From what I hear, he is a good lad who always wants to improve.
"He does everything to get success on the pitch. The way he has played in France and now in Italy shows he has developed himself in the right way, step-by-step. He would be a really good addition. There are a few targets for Arsenal, and if they can get Kone, that would be a great addition."
Nico Williams
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Long-term Arsenal transfer target Nico Williams (Photo by Joosep Martinson - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
football.london understands Arsenal are also in the market for a full-back and attacker this summer. Leandro Trossard appears to have agreed an exit to Besiktas and will need to be replaced in the squad by the Gunners.
Petit believes Athletic Club left-winger Nico Williams would be the perfect replacement, describing the Spain international as his "dream signing". The 23-year-old has been tracked by the north Londoners for a number of years now and only signed a new contract with the La Liga side last summer.
"Arsenal probably need one more striker and a left winger. We should also look at midfield players, perhaps an attacking midfielder," Petit said.
"There are a few different positions in the team that Arsenal needs to improve. My dream signing, I have said it for 18 months now, Nico Williams. I know he has been injured many times since the Euros with Spain, but he impressed me a lot during that competition. The left winger position has been an area Arsenal has struggled to improve, so that is one of the priorities."
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