Manchester United have reportedly initiated contact with Manu Kone’s agents ‘in recent hours’.
That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, which adds that the midfielder is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Newcastle United as well as the Red Devils.
🇮🇹📰 Manu Koné: Manchester United have now initiated contact, €50m transfer, offer ready https://t.co/ztC2f7VnME #mufc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) July 11, 2026
Manu Kone: The state of play
AS Roma won’t accept a fee below £42.6 million to facilitate the exit of Kone, who’s spent the last two years in the Italian capital.
In fact, they’d perhaps feel more inclined to raise their price tag in the aftermath of his stellar World Cup showings.
Manu Kone vs Moroccopic.twitter.com/DGJ02zguVy
— SIR AHMED (@midopido21) July 9, 2026
The 25-year-old could well end the summer as a world champion, and he’ll have played a vital role in the triumph if Les Bleus reign victorious in New Jersey on July 19.
Kone has started four of France’s six matches played thus far, all of which were wins, including the last two against Paraguay and Morocco.
He’ll be hoping he’s done enough in Didier Deschamps’ eyes to retain his place for their semi-final clash with Spain on Tuesday, which sees the two favourites go head-to-head.
United turn to Kone after Ederson deal collapses
In the meantime, United have turned their attention to the Toulouse graduate after pulling out of their deal for Ederson on Friday.
Italian media suggest Manchester United used the Ederson medical as an excuse to withdraw from the €45m Atalanta deal, so could now turn their focus to Roma’s France international Manu Kone instead.#Atalanta #MUFC #ASRoma #France pic.twitter.com/W9iqLmh01U
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) July 10, 2026
Reports have suggested that United harboured concerns over issues flagged in the Brazilian’s medical yesterday surrounding a knee injury.
The Atalanta man, 27, is now poised to stay put in Bergamo, where his contract is due to expire in 2027 unless a new sale is agreed or he commits to an extension.
United also finalised Andrey Santos’ £50m switch from Chelsea this week following a successful medical. He will be tied to Old Trafford until 2031, plus the option of an additional 12 months.
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