Updated: 22 Jul 2026 13:49 BST |
4 min read
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Manchester United have made Manu Kone a transfer priority after already adding Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to Michael Carrick’s ranks before the beginning of the 2026/27 season.
United are eager to add to their options in the midfield after losing Manuel Ugarte to serious injury and seeing Casemiro depart as a free agent.
At the beginning of the summer, their dream option was Elliot Anderson, who moved to Manchester City, while a string of other marquee additions were linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
But it is Kone who has been most keenly linked with a move to Old Trafford after a series of impressive displays for France at the World Cup, backing up his strong form for Roma.
The Red Devils, however, have been slow to make a bid and could find themselves beaten to the 25-year-old by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
Man Utd ‘determined’ to take their time as Al-Ahli open talks
Matthias Jaissle’s outfit have already been in direct contact with Roma over a price for the midfielder, Sky Sports CH reports.
The midfielder, meanwhile, has had a value of €60 million placed on him by the Serie A giants.
Al-Ahli appear ready to beat the European giants to Kone by making the first move in a “situation that could change rapidly”.
Man Utd still have cards to play in this race. Kone is said to favour a move to the Premier League over La Liga, but crucially he is not ruling out the prospect of moving to the Saudi Pro League, where France team-mate N’Golo Kante plays.
The Red Devils are also said to have held firm discussions with Roma, L’Equipe reports, but have yet to make a formal bid, despite making him one of two “priority” targets. Carrick’s side are “determined to take their time”.
The Manchester outfit are also aware that Arsenal and “several” other Premier League teams are interested in the player.
Meanwhile, the indications for France are that Kone is “ambitious” but also wants his future resolved rapidly.
Kone an opportunity too good to miss?
As United have several areas of their squad to address this summer and have already added two midfielders to Carrick’s squad, it should perhaps come as little surprise that they do not want to rush into a third deal.
The Red Devils have also shown a determination to ensure they get value for money in the market and have refused to be drawn into paying over the odds for the likes of Anderson.
There is a clear desire to weigh up their options but given Kone’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €49.5m and peaked at €60m in December 2025, Roma’s asking price represents a reasonable starting point for bids.
United’s determination to stall could, however, see them miss out on Kone. Instead, they are relying on the player’s desire to play in the Premier League to get the move over the line.
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