Manchester United are circling AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné, a 25-year-old French international valued between €40-50 million. Roma bought him for roughly €18 million less than two years ago.

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Roma isn’t selling Koné because they want to. They’re selling because UEFA’s financial fair play regulations are forcing the club to balance its books. Roma reportedly needs to offload salary and generate transfer income to stay within UEFA’s spending parameters.

Koné joined Roma in August 2024 on a loan with an obligation to buy for approximately €18 million. In the previous season, he made 37 appearances, scored 2 goals, and added 3 assists. Yet his valuation has ballooned to €40-50 million in under two years.

Manchester United have identified Koné as a preferred midfield target, according to reports from July 8-9, 2026. Intermediaries have been shopping the player to several Premier League clubs. No formal offer has been made, and no timeline has been established by either side.

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Roma acquired an asset at €18 million. The market now prices it at €40-50 million based on potential, not purely on realized performance. Two goals and three assists across 37 games is decent production, but it doesn’t scream 3x price appreciation on fundamentals alone.

Koné is a French international who can play as a defensive or box-to-box midfielder. He’s 25, which in football terms means he’s entering his prime. Premier League clubs are flush with television revenue, so they can pay inflated prices. Previous links to Arsenal didn’t progress. Manchester United stepping in as the next interested party reflects classic auction dynamics.