Liverpool and Manchester United are monitoring Roma's 25-year-old French midfielder Manu Kone ahead of the January transfer window, with the Italian side holding out for a €60 million (around £51 million) fee. According to transfer reporter David Ornstein, speaking on GiveMeSport, the Premier League rivals are keeping close tabs on the midfielder, who starred for France at the recent World Cup and remains a key target for several English clubs.
Roma's FFP constraints and Premier League suitors
The race for Kone is intensifying as European clubs prepare for the winter market. Ornstein reported that Chelsea came close to securing the midfielder during the summer window before they ultimately pivoted to Monaco’s Lamine Camara. Now, Liverpool and Manchester United are leading the chase. Roma’s financial outlook could force their hand in January, with the Serie A club under significant pressure to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini recently acknowledged these constraints, noting that the club must balance its budgets after several tough financial years. This pressure, combined with Roma's potential European standing in winter, could make a January sale highly plausible if a suitor meets their €60 million valuation, which rose from €50 million following Kone's international displays.
Anfield squad depth and tactical fit
Liverpool’s interest comes as they look to reshape their midfield depth following the departure of Curtis Jones to Inter Milan. Kone is viewed as a robust, tactically versatile option capable of playing across multiple midfield roles. His physical presence makes him an ideal candidate to offer competition or act as a potential replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, should the Argentine midfielder depart Anfield in future windows. While Liverpool continue to monitor Monaco's Camara as an alternative, Kone's profile remains highly regarded by the Anfield recruitment team. No official bids have been submitted, and any move will require monitoring Kone’s situation as the January window approaches.
