United’s hopes of signing French midfield monster soar after price slash, he’s “very keen” on move – report

Manchester United’s hunt for a new midfielder has taken a sharp twist as AS Roma may now be forced to sell Manu Kone at a discounted price, according to a report from Italy. Fixing the Engine Room The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of their stalling engine room this summer. Casemiro will depart at the end of the season once his contract expires, while Manuel Ugarte has failed to impress in the Brazilian’s stead. This situation leaves Kobbie Mainoo as the only midfielder at Old Trafford with a guaranteed future, after Bruno Fernandes was redeployed as a No. 10 by interim boss Michael Carrick. Two signings are expected to arrive to bolster this depleted unit, with the majority of the budget set to be spent doing so. INEOS are intent on securing one of the Premier League’s finest operators not already plying his trade at a ‘top six club’, with Elliot Anderson the primary target. Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali are also high on the radar. However, the price tag for each could reach as high as, or in excess of, the £100 million mark, making the possibility of a double raid improbable. Instead, United are understood to have cast their net beyond these shores in the hope of striking a cheaper deal for a midfielder on the continent – with Kone fitting the cost-effective bill. Manu the Maestro The Roma maestro has established himself as one of the most complete midfielders in Serie A since arriving from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2024. He initially joined on a season-long loan before sealing a permanent switch to the Italian capital last summer. Possessing a potent combination of speed, strength and size, Kone is also an excellent dribbler and capable of launching lightning-fast counter-attacks in transition. He is strong in duels and offers relentless energy from box to box. United hold a long-standing interest in the France international, dating back to his time with Ligue 1 side Toulouse. However, the Red Devils may now be ready to accelerate a pursuit this summer as Roma’s precarious finances have made Kone available on a cut-price deal. Il Messaggero claims the Serie A giant need to raise “€80 million in capital gains” to avoid a penalty from a pre-existing agreement with UEFA. The fact they are unlikely to secure Champions League football, nor have any other high-profile players, has led the club to drop their asking price to €45m (£39m) for the Frenchman to increase the chances of a sale. Inter Milan are also understood to be interested in Kone, though United would have little trouble blowing I Nerazzurri out of the water if it came down to a straight fight for his signature. A report relayed by The Peoples Person previously revealed the Colombes native is “very keen” to seal a switch to Old Trafford, further strengthening his allure as a target this summer. Featured image Paolo Bruno via Getty Images 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 Fox 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.