Manu Kone has constantly emerged as a midfielder Manchester United want to sign, but reports from Italy suggest the process has had its difficulties
Manu Kone of AS Roma greets the fans during the serie Serie A Enilive match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 4, 2026 in Rome, Italy
Manu Kone is being pursued by Manchester United(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto)
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Reports from Italy have claimed Roma are growing frustrated with Manchester United's lack of a transfer offer for Manu Kone. The Italians are open to selling him, but want to wrap up any potential deal by July 31st.
The Frenchman is high on the Reds' list of potential midfield signings after his excellent displays for France at the World Cup. It has been reported personal terms, in principle, between United and Kone have been agreed.
Moreover, a bid from United had also been expected to be issued, yet Roma has claimed none has been sent by Michael Carrick's side. It's a situation which is believed to be frustrating the Serie A side.
Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, has claimed United have not moved forward in their desire to sign Kone, despite the agreement in principle they made with the 25-year-old.
It also stated United have been moving "slowly" in the deal, something which is frustrating Roma. They are enduring a race against the clock as they have a settlement agreement with UEFA where they need to cap their aggregate football earnings deficit to €60m (£51.3m).
Selling Kone would help them meet this threshold and prevent the club from being fined between €10m. However, for them to do so, they need a move to be completed by July 31st, which is the deadline UEFA have set.
Manu Kone of France
Manu Kone impressed for France at the World Cup(Image: Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Kone is not the only midfielder the Reds have been linked with. Real Madrid ace and Kone's France team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni is still being linked with a move to Old Trafford.
United have already bolstered the middle of the pitch with the signings of £35m Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans and Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos for £50m. But with Casemiro out of the building and Manuel Ugarte injured, a fourth is still at the top of United's transfer list.
At the World Cup, Kone started four of France's seven matches. In their semi-final defeat to Spain, Didier Deschamps turned to Kone to help France get back in the game by introducing him at half time for Adrien Rabiot.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is still looking to strengthen his midfield(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Arsenal legend and former Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira has already given Kone his seal of approval. While speaking as a pundit, the 1998 World Cup winner, when asked about Kone, said: "He had a really good season in Serie A with Roma.
"He came to the World Cup after a couple of injuries. It has been quite a difficult season for him. He is for me today the best midfielder in France.
"I'd put him ahead of [Aurelien] Tchouameni and [Adrien] Rabiot, because he has this mobility, he is aggressive, he is a ball-winner, and he has the technical ability to be part of the build-up, has the facility with the ball to break lines and move forward."