Manchester United target Manu Koné to complete midfield overhaul after Tielemans signing

Manchester United are targeting Roma midfielder Manu Koné as their next signing of the summer, with the French international available for around £45m as Roma’s financial difficulties force a likely sale.

The move would follow a busy week at Old Trafford in which manager Michael Carrick has already added Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow also joining to provide depth between the posts. Carrick, rewarded by the club’s hierarchy after guiding United to a top-four finish last season, has moved quickly to reshape his squad — but a physical midfield presence remains the outstanding need.

Koné, 23, began his professional career at Toulouse in 2019 before establishing himself at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he developed into an effective No. 8 capable of carrying the ball through tight spaces and covering ground at pace. He moved to Serie A in 2024 and was central to Roma’s third-place finish last term, earning a place in France’s World Cup squad before their semi-final exit at the hands of Spain.

The case for signing him centres on what United’s current midfield options lack. Kobbie Mainoo is expected to anchor Carrick’s double-pivot, but with Casemiro departed and Manuel Ugarte unavailable, the squad has no midfielder who combines physical strength with technical quality in tight areas. Santos and Tielemans both offer technical ability, while Mainoo’s low-slung dribbling style means his six-foot frame offers less physical presence than it might suggest. Koné, by contrast, provides the recovery runs, aerial presence and athletic range that would complement Mainoo directly.

An Italian football expert consulted by the Manchester Evening News suggested Koné could be available for as little as £45m given Roma’s financial position — a relatively modest outlay for a player of his profile. The same source cautioned, however, that several other clubs are monitoring the situation and United may need to move quickly to secure a deal.

If Koné were to join alongside Mainoo, Tielemans, Santos and potentially Mason Mount — whose future at the club remains unresolved — Carrick would have a midfield group with genuine depth and variety heading into the new season.