Man United intensify plans for Roma midfielder Kone as Chelsea keep watch
Kone has established himself as one of Roma’s most valued players thanks to his ability to win back possession, break up opposition attacks and drive forward with the ball, qualities that have made him a key figure under Gian Piero Gasperini.
AS Roma do not consider the 25-year-old untouchable, but have made clear they have no intention of letting him leave on the cheap.
Any club hoping to sign Kone this summer will need to table an offer of at least €50m to prompt serious discussions, a fee that would represent a significant profit for Roma and would also help the club with their financial position relative to UEFA’s regulations.
Manchester United have been monitoring Kone for some time and are said to admire the physicality, dynamism and quality he could bring to their midfield, with reports suggesting their interest could turn into a concrete approach within days.
Chelsea remain on the periphery of the situation, continuing to watch developments without having yet submitted a formal offer. Roma, for their part, are prepared to wait: should a bid close to their €50m valuation arrive, the club will give it serious consideration, but if not, Kone is expected to continue as one of the central figures in their midfield heading into the new season.
Kone impressed during his time on international duty at the World Cup this summer, further raising his profile among prospective suitors, having joined Roma from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024 in a deal that could now see the Italian club more than double its initial investment if a sale close to their asking price is completed.
The interest from Manchester United comes as Michael Carrick continues to reshape his midfield options this summer, having already brought in Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
Kone’s ability to operate as a defensive midfielder or in a more box-to-box role would give United additional flexibility, and his willingness to consider a move to the Premier League is understood to have been communicated to interested parties.
Roma’s stance reflects the financial realities facing the club, who secured Champions League qualification last season but still need to balance their books in line with UEFA’s regulations.
