Roma’s Koné: Honoured by Inter, but only Roma truly believed | OneFootball

The French midfielder tells the story of the transfer market: from Inter's courtship to talks with Milan in 2021, to the decision to embrace the Giallorossi project.

Roma, Koné: “Inter? An honor to be of interest, but only Roma truly believed in me”

Manu Koné has become one of the pillars of Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma in just a few months. Dynamism, quality, and personality have made him an indispensable reference for the Giallorossi midfield. Yet, his future could have been very different: last summer, in fact, the Frenchman was a step away from Inter.

Interviewed by Corriere della Sera, Koné revealed the behind-the-scenes: “If a club like Inter is interested in me, it's a positive thing for me. I spoke with Gasperini, I told him I didn't know what would happen. But I added: 'As long as I wear this jersey, I do it 100%. Roma is the only club that believed in me last summer, and it's my duty to reciprocate'."

Sommer and Thuram wanted him in Milan

Two former Bundesliga teammates, Yann Sommer and Marcus Thuram, were also pushing for his arrival at Nerazzurri. “We joked about it. They told me to make the best choice, but it wasn't up to me. I was very happy at Roma, it's not that I wanted to leave at all costs”, the midfielder explained.

Milan's courtship in 2021

Not only Inter: Milan, in 2021, was also close to bringing him to Serie A. “I spoke with Milan, it's true. Massara called me, but for my growth it was right to go to Borussia. Then here at Roma I found the same Massara: the circle has closed anyway, hasn't it?”.

A choice that has contributed to his footballing maturation, up to his arrival at Trigoria, where Gasperini has valued him in a central role in his game system.

Goals and ambitions with Roma

The positive start to the season has strengthened Koné's convictions: “It's good, up there. That's why we work. Let's not get carried away. Last year we started badly and then paid for it in the end. Getting into the top four and winning the Europa League: we must be ambitious”.

On the relationship with Gasperini, words of great esteem: “He is many things. I've never seen anyone live the games like this. It's as if he were on the field. And it makes you want to fight for him”.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.