Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle with AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné on personal terms.
The Frenchman has been on the radar of several clubs this summer, and has further strengthened his reputation with strong performances for Les Bleus during the World Cup. Arsenal have also shown interest in the 25-year-old, and there have also been reports that Chelsea have held talks with his representatives about a move to Stamford Bridge.
Read: Roma chase Norwegian World Cup hero, but will probably have to see themselves beaten by Premier League giant
Old Trafford still appears to be the most likely destination. United are in the process of rebuilding their midfield this summer, and have already signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
With so many players from the Premier League in or on the way in, it shows that manager Michael Carrick has a hand in transfer issues.
Carrick wants third newcomer in the middle
Michael Carrick wants a third reinforcement in midfield as United are back among the elite in the Champions League next season. The club has been in regular contact with Koné’s representatives.
The French newspaper L’Équipe reported this week that United have the “upper hand” in the battle for Koné, and that the midfielder himself wants to go to Manchester.
Now Corriere dello Sport writes that the parties have reached an agreement on the personal terms – and that Roma are waiting for an official bid from the Premier League club.
Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil” looks really scary
Roma increases the price
Koné has been priced at €50 million (approximately £42 million) throughout the summer transfer window, and United are ready to make a bid “close” to that amount.
But according to the newspaper, Roma now want 60 million euros – the equivalent of 51 million pounds.
Saudi Arabian Al-Ahli has also contacted Roma about a transfer for the Frenchman.
United’s midfield renewal has also seen interest in Real Madrid star Aurélien Tchouaméni – but the Frenchman is expected to be offered a new contract at the Bernabéu, and there are no indications that he wants to leave the club.
The World Cup star can be more than an alternative solution
In Koné, United can bring in a more than capable replacement – and according to French and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, Koné is actually better than his compatriots.
“He came into the World Cup with some injuries and it’s been a pretty tough season for him,” Vieira said during ITV’s World Cup broadcast of the match between France and Norway.
“But for me, he is the best midfielder in France today. I would rank him ahead of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot, because he has a mobility and an ability to cover large areas of the pitch.
“He’s aggressive, he wins balls, and he has the technical ability to be part of the build-up. He can break lines and play forward.
