Atletico Madrid step forward for Manu Koné, player’s stance clear | OneFootball

As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Atlético Madrid are keen on a move for Roma midfielder Manu Kone.

The Frenchman has been clear of his stance: he doesn’t wish to leave this summer, nor does Gian Piero Gasperini want to let him go. However, with less than a week remaining, Roma are yet to record €50 million in capital gains to comply with UEFA’s financial rules, something other clubs are more than aware of.

This leaves the club in a tricky situation, for suitors of their most-prized assets know they can strong-arm the club to make a hasty, cut-price deal, regardless of whether the players want to leave or if the club want to keep them.

That is the case with Koné, whose powers were on full display during France’s recent victory over Iraq at the World Cup. This would only make his admirers, including Atleti, keen on making a move for him, but Roma remain out of time.

The Giallorossi believe €50 million is the bare minimum to begin negotiations for the 25-year-old, but the Rojiblancos believe an agreement can be reached in the region of €40–45 million.

Roma short on time

Sadly, Roma are not in a position of strength and need to make a sale. If takers for some of their other players are not willing to make a play, then they have to take what they can get.

Manu Koné could probably get himself a better landing spot than Atlético Madrid, who undoubtedly would benefit from his presence at the Metropolitano, but it looks like such a move will have to wait; Roma need to move, and they need to move now.

Anshuman Joshi | GIFN