Koné reveals what he told Gasperini before collapsed Inter move | OneFootball

Roma midfielder Manu Koné stressed he was never desperate to leave the Giallorossi for Inter this summer, saying he felt a ‘duty’ to repay the club’s faith in him.

Roma midfielder Koné seemed on the verge of joining Inter during the summer transfer window, but the France international eventually remained at the Olimpico as Giallorossi owners blocked his move after a meeting with Gian Piero Gasperini.

Koné opens up about possible Inter move

LECCE, ITALY – MARCH 29: Manu Kone of AS Roma celebrates the victory after the Serie A match between Lecce and AS Roma at Stadio Via del Mare on March 29, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“If a club like Inter is interested in me, that’s positive,” Koné told Corriere della Sera via Calciomercato.com.

“I spoke with Gasperini. I told him I didn’t know what would happen. But I added: ‘As long as I wear this shirt, I’ll give 100%.’ Roma is the only club that believed in me last summer, so it’s my duty to give back.”

At Inter, Koné would have reunited with several ex-Borussia Mönchengladbach teammates, such as Yann Sommer and Marcus Thuram.

“We joked about it. They told me to make the best choice, but it wasn’t up to me,” said the Roma midfielder.

“I was very happy at Roma, it’s not like I desperately wanted to leave.”

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Artem Dovbyk with his teammates of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Olimpico on September 28, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Koné could have joined another Serie A giant, Milan, before he signed for Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2021.

“I did speak with Milan, that’s true. Massara called me, but for my development it was right to go to Borussia,” he said.

“Then, here in Roma, I found Massara again. In the end, a circle closed anyway, right?”

Koné has contributed to Roma’s excellent results so far this season. The Giallorossi have earned 12 points in the opening five Serie A rounds and are the current leaders alongside Milan and Napoli.

Koné ‘feels good’ to be table leaders

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Manu Kone of AS Roma during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“It feels good up there, that’s what we work for. Let’s not get carried away, but last year we started badly and we paid the price in the end,” said Koné.

The French midfielder confirmed that Roma’s targets are to “finish in the top four and win the Europa League,” and praised his new coach, Gasperini: “I’ve never seen anyone live games like he does. It’s as if he’s on the pitch himself, and that makes you want to fight for him no matter what.”