Report: Liverpool are in the race to sign £43m-rated midfielder | OneFootball

Liverpool Explore Manu Kone Transfer as Roma Midfielder Emerges in Summer Rebuild

Liverpool are assessing the midfield market once again, with Manu Kone now firmly back on the agenda as planning continues for a significant summer reset at Anfield. According to Fichajes, the Reds are among the clubs closely tracking the Roma midfielder, whose profile appears increasingly relevant as Andoni Iraola and Richard Hughes shape the next phase of the squad.

There has been an acceptance internally and externally that Liverpool’s midfield needs fresh energy. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch remain important players, but neither managed to replicate the standards reached during the Premier League-winning 2024/25 campaign. With uncertainty also surrounding the depth options, the possibility of additions in that department has become a natural focus.

Trey Nyoni is reported to be closing in on a move to Swansea, while Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott have all been mentioned as players who could depart if suitable solutions are found. Should that happen, Liverpool would free up both squad space and financial flexibility, placing them in position to act decisively for the right target.

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Manu Kone transfer gathers pace

Kone is not a new name in Liverpool recruitment discussions. The club tracked him extensively during his Borussia Monchengladbach period, before he eventually moved to Roma. That switch began as a loan in 2024 and became permanent the following summer for €18m, a fee that already looks highly favourable from the Italian club’s perspective.

Now, with Roma needing to keep a close eye on UEFA financial requirements, there is a belief that a sale could be considered if their valuation is met. That figure is currently thought to sit at around €50m, which converts to roughly £43m. It is a sizeable number, but one that reflects both his age and his growing standing in the market.

As the original report states, “Liverpool are also closely monitoring the player’s progress and are exploring the possibility of signing him to bolster a midfield that needs rejuvenation and added dynamism,” the report reads.

Why Kone suits Liverpool midfield plans

Kone has developed into a complete, modern midfielder at Roma. At 25, he is entering the stage of his career where physical capacity, tactical maturity and market value tend to align. He can operate as a deeper midfielder or in a more active central role, bringing mobility, duel-winning and carry power.

His game is built around intensity. He covers ground quickly, presses assertively and offers strong defensive range, qualities that would appeal to a coach looking to restore tempo and aggression in Liverpool’s midfield structure. In possession, he is more of a line-breaking carrier than a metronomic passer, capable of absorbing pressure and driving through the middle third before releasing the ball forward.

Those attributes make him an obvious fit for a high-energy Premier League side. Liverpool are not alone in the race, with Manchester United and Chelsea also credited with interest, while other English clubs have monitored developments. United’s focus may have shifted after recent business, which could alter the competitive landscape, but Roma’s position remains clear. They see Kone as a premium asset and there is no indication of a discounted exit.

Liverpool face key decision in summer market

This is where Liverpool’s judgement will matter. Kone looks like the kind of midfielder who can improve the squad immediately while still carrying upside over the medium term. He is proven in a major European league, has the athletic and technical base for English football, and appears open to a Premier League move.

Whether Liverpool move from admiration to formal action may depend on departures, budget prioritisation and how strongly Iraola wants a different midfield dynamic. Yet among the names currently circulating, Kone stands out as one of the more coherent links. If Liverpool are serious about refreshing the centre of the pitch, this is a situation worth watching closely.

Our View

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this one makes a lot of sense. Kone feels like the type of signing supporters often warm to quickly, because the need is easy to understand and the profile looks suited to what this team currently lacks. There is a clear demand for more power, more athleticism and more bite in midfield, especially after a season where the engine room too often looked flat.

At around £43m, it would hardly be a cheap deal, but it also does not feel wildly inflated for a 25-year-old France international with top-level experience and room to grow. If Liverpool are genuinely prepared to move on from some of the current options, then replacing numbers with quality and intensity should be the priority.

The most intriguing part is stylistic. Under Iraola, there will be huge interest in how Liverpool press, recover second balls and attack transitions. Kone looks built for that environment. He may not be the final-piece controller some fans crave, but he could raise the physical level of the side immediately.

There is still a gap between monitoring a player and completing a deal, and Liverpool have often been cautious for good reason. Even so, this is one of those reports that feels believable. If the club want a midfielder entering his prime who can genuinely change the feel of the team, Kone would be an exciting route to take.

Source: Fichajes