INEOS line up first summer swoop with 24-yo Serie A monster set to “join United in June” – report

Manu Kone has emerged as a key target for Manchester United with the AS Roma midfielder said to be “very keen” on a switch to Old Trafford, according to a well-placed Italian journalist. A Midfield Rebuild The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of Ruben Amorim’s midfield next year with uncertainty over the long-term futures of the current cohort. Casemiro’s contract expires at the end of the season while Bruno Fernandes cast doubt he will remain at the Theatre of Dreams beyond the summer in an explosive interview with Portuguese media released last week. The experienced duo have formed Amorim’s first-choice partnership this season, with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte failing to impress in their stead, and struggling for minutes as a result. Mainoo asked to leave on loan in August and the 20-year-old midfielder is expected to push once again for a temporary exit in January. The recent injury to Fernandes is likely to scupper this, however. Ugarte, 24, has been linked with a move to Galatasaray with the Uruguayan having failed to adapt to the physicality of Premier League football following his £52 million move from Paris-Saint Germain last year. But the fact there are question marks over all four of Amorim’s senior midfielders explains why the engine room is the focus for United executives — and why Kone is a sensible target.  United’s primary targets in midfield are Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), with the club continuing its model of prioritising players with proven Premier League pedigree.  However, all three are expected to cost upwards of £100m, making the prospect of signing two a remote one, given funds will also need to be allocated elsewhere on the pitch. Furthermore, each midfielder will feature highly on the wish list of domestic rivals, with Anderson in particular set for a three-way battle between United, Manchester City and Liverpool. Wharton is also being closely monitored in the north west of England and west London. As such, sourcing a cheaper alternative on the continent is an astute decision by United executives. Keen Kone As relayed by Sports Witness, Italian reporter Francesca Teodori reveals Kone — Roma’s midfield dynamo — is set to complete a transfer to the Red Devils next summer.  The France international is described as “very keen”  on the move, with Teodori having been “told by multiple sources” that the 24-year-old will leave the Italian capital in June to join United. Roma have themselves been linked with Joshua Zirkzee on a loan deal with an obligation to buy come the summer. But United are not expected to entertain this offer until the African Cup of Nations has entered, with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad — two of Amorim’s most effective attackers — away with their countries.  Teodori reveals she has no confirmation on whether the pursuit of Zirkzee is in any way linked to United’s interest in Kone, but indicates it is a possibility the Dutch forward “might have been included as a sort of counterpart”.  Kone has established himself as one of the most complete midfielders in Serie A since joining Roma on loan in 2024, before making the move permanent this summer. Standing 6’1, with a well-rounded skillset and outstanding dribbling, the Frenchman is an excellent fit in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system — the same one Roma manager Gian Gasperini employes, with Kone at the heart of his midfield.  A fee in the region of €50-60m is likely to bring Roma to the negotiating table, almost half the amount United’s first-choice options in England will cost.  The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.