Manchester United are ‘readying’ an offer to sign Roma midfielder Manu Kone, who is also admired by Arsenal and Newcastle United, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Red Devils recently pulled out of a deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, and they have now earmarked Kone as an ideal alternative to the Brazil international.
Gazzetta dello Sport claim that United are preparing a massive offer for the 25-year-old. Arsenal and Newcastle are likewise tracking him, but the Red Devils are more interested.
Roma have a new Financial Fair Play deadline of July 31 to balance their books. The Giallorossi still won’t sell Kone on the cheap and will demand at least £43 million for his transfer.
Arsenal may not make Kone approach
The former Borussia Monchengladbach star has been a key player for Roma. He was instrumental towards their third-place Serie A finish and Champions League qualification last term.
Despite this, the Giallorossi find themselves in a difficult financial situation, having previously paid a hefty fine to UEFA. They require a big-money sale, and Kone is the perfect candidate.
Arsenal have been linked with the Toulouse graduate, and it has been previously claimed that the midfielder dreams of playing in the Premier League, especially with the Gunners.
However, we don’t see the club making an approach, with the current priority set on landing Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes.
Arsenal have failed with two verbal offers worth £55m and £65m for the Magpies ace and are preparing a final bid in the region of £72m.
The reported interest from the Gunners in Kone could be agent-driven to persuade United to speed up negotiations and meet the £43m asking price ahead of other suitors.