Arsenal would provide the perfect landing spot for France World Cup star Manu Kone.
That’s the view of European football expert Andy Brassell who has kept close tabs on the midfielder’s development at Serie A club Roma.
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Kone was handed his first World Cup start for Didier Deschamps’ side in the 3-0 win over Iraq and is hoping he has done enough to get the nod again in Friday’s group decider against Norway.
Beyond the World Cup, Kone could be set for a busy summer with multiple clubs closely monitoring him.
Premier League champions Arsenal are among the suitors as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield options.
The Gunners have been credited with an interest in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
Meanwhile, they are also keen on Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and Lille starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi.
However, reports claim Arsenal have agreed terms with Kone over a summer move to the Emirates Stadium.
Brassell is not surprised by Arsenal’s interest in the 25-year-old who outlined his impressive skill set in the win over Iraq.
It is not the first time Kone has garnered Premier League interest with Liverpool eventually opting against signing him prior to his move to the Stadio Olimpico.
But with two years of solid growth under his belt in Serie A, Brassell believes his more defined skill set makes him the perfect addition to Arteta’s midfield.
A blossoming midfielder
“In the last two years he’s really grown at club and country level,” Brassell said. “He’s 25 years old now with real intelligence, real energy, who you wouldn’t call a straight defensive midfield player but does a lot of the defensive tasks really well.
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“There is an attacking side to his game but he’s not a prolific goalscorer and I don’t think he ever will be because his job is to get the ball back and dribble it up the pitch whilst making tackles and interceptions.
“Premier League clubs have been aware of Kone and how good he is for a couple of years and Liverpool were interested when he was leaving Borussia Monchengladbach but in the end he made the move to Roma.
“It’s been a good intermediate move for him,” he added. “He hasn’t played in the Champions League whilst he’s been there although they have qualified for it next season.
“He would play in it under [Gian Piero] Gasperini if he decided to stay but there is this feeling that at 25 he wants to take the step up to the next level.”
Brassell also believes that a transfer would suit both Kone and Roma with Financial Fair Play regulations hovering over the Italian club.
“Despite being a humble guy, it would suit Roma as well,” he said. “They are still under FFP matters from UEFA they need to make a few euros and he’s probably their most saleable asset.
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“They could sell him for more than twice the €25m they paid Gladbach for him going back a couple of years ago.
Worthwhile target
“I can understand why Arsenal are so interested in him, of course they are reported to have agreed terms.
“He is someone who would really match with the energy and industry of Arsenal.
“How Kone has really developed over the last couple of years, we always knew he was a marathon man and he could cover every blade of grass.
“But what he’s got better at is not diving into tackles and not giving the ball away. Over 90 per cent pass success last season.
“I think if he was to come into the Arsenal team he would be someone that could give Declan Rice a little more freedom to get onto that front foot.”
