United pull out of race for Kone, City set sights on Frenchman

United pull out of race for Kone, City set sights on Frenchman Roma have no doubts about the future of Manu Koné, considered one of the key players in the Giallorossi squad. The French midfielder, who also played for his national team during the World Cup, is considered a true asset for the team, and the club has no intention of letting him go. Despite the club’s desire to retain him, international interest remains high. Roma has reportedly set a minimum valuation of more than €55 million to consider a possible sale, a figure that would represent the threshold necessary to open negotiations. Manchester United had been among the teams interested for weeks, but the Red Devils decided to make a move for Brighton’s Baleba. Thus, in recent days, potential interest from Manchester City has also emerged. The English champions, according to Il Corriere dello Sport, are reportedly looking for a midfield reinforcement after several key departures, and Koné would be a suitable candidate to complete the lineup. Maresca’s new City, who recently lost Rodri, are also considering other options, such as Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, but both would be more expensive than the Roma midfielder. The Frenchman, fresh from a World Cup played at the highest level, therefore remains a focus of attention among Europe’s top clubs, although the position at Trigoria is clear: Koné is a key player and not on the market.