Roma Star Manu Kone Sparks Transfer War Between Europe’s Elite | OneFootball

Sought-after midfielder Manu Kone could part ways with Roma at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite returning to the UEFA Champions League after a long-term absence, the Giallorossi may not be able to resist mounting interest in their standout performer.

Currently away on World Cup duty with France, Kone made his tournament debut in a 3-0 rout of Iraq yesterday. He dislodged Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni from the starting lineup, partnering up with Milan ace Adrien Rabiot in the double pivot. It’s fair to say he exceeded expectations.

With Les Bleus expected to make another deep run, Kone could use the tournament as the perfect platform to attract more suitors. Meanwhile, it could further increase his market value, even though Roma may already make at least €50 million from his sale, if recent reports are to be believed.

Top clubs are queuing up for Kone’s signature, with several Premier League and European sides reportedly monitoring his situation closely. If he maintains this level on the international stage, Roma could soon find themselves in a stronger bargaining position than ever, potentially sparking a bidding war once the tournament concludes.

It has become increasingly unlikely that Kone will stay at the Stadio Olimpico beyond the summer. Roma’s need to raise funds through player sales to comply with Financial Fair Play rules only adds to the growing expectation of his departure.

Without further ado, let’s see where Kone could continue his career.

#3 Inter

Kone has been on Beppe Marotta’s shortlist for a year now. Indeed, Inter had tried to engineer the move last summer, only for Roma to turn down their advances. Roma’s reluctance to negotiate the Frenchman’s transfer forced the Nerazzurri to shift their focus toward Andy Diouf.

However, the former Lens star faltered in his first season in Serie A. The 23-year-old made just 23 Serie A starts in 2025/26, with Inter already looking to cash in on their flop. Furthermore, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Davide Frattesi are both expected to leave the club in the coming months as part of a massive midfield overhaul.

All those exits could accelerate Inter’s pursuit of reinforcements, with Kone remaining a leading candidate to strengthen their long-term project. With Marotta still a strong admirer, the Nerazzurri may be tempted to revisit their interest this summer, especially if Roma become more open to negotiations.

In addition to Kone, the Serie A champions are also keeping close tabs on Liverpool star Curtis Jones. He was close to joining the San Siro giants in January, but the Reds sabotaged the transfer at the 11th hour, even though the player agreed personal terms with Inter.

#2 Paris Saint-Germain

According to Foot Mercato, Kone is desperate to join Paris Saint-Germain. Les Parisiens have emerged as a potential destination for the 25-year-old, who left France five years ago. Indeed, Kone graduated from the Toulouse academy, but he departed his boyhood club in 2021 to embark on a new chapter at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Whether he’s feeling homesick or he’s simply drawn by the prospect of joining back-to-back European champions, PSG’s appeal is clear. One thing’s certain – Kone would not have a guaranteed starting berth in Paris. With Joao Neves and Vitinha pulling all the strings in Luis Enrique’s midfield, he would likely have to settle for a rotational role.

That could be a major drawback, as breaking into a settled midfield at the Parc des Princes would be a significant challenge, with limited guarantees over consistent playing time in such a competitive squad. As such, Kone may not necessarily return to his homeland this summer, particularly amid growing interest from England.

#1 Premier League

Several elite Premier League sides have entered the race for Kone. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are all keen on the former Gladbach ace. Most importantly, all three clubs possess the financial strength to match Roma’s valuation and comfortably meet any potential asking price.

Spurs have recently enquired about the Frenchman, as manager Roberto De Zerbi plans to strengthen his team after saving them from relegation last term. However, they’re currently focused on landing Sandro Tonali, though Newcastle United’s staggering £100m demands remain a sticking point.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also in the mix. Furthermore, the Gunners have already met the player’s agent to discuss a potential move. As for the Blues, they’ve developed a habit of spending big under their current ownership and would hardly flinch at the idea of sanctioning a significant fee to secure his signature.