Liverpool compete with Manchester United for Manu Koné | OneFootball

As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Manchester United and Liverpool are keen on Roma midfielder Manu Koné.

The already highly regarded 25-year-old midfielder has virtually became an overnight sensation over the course of the World Cup, playing a key role in a France side that has once again reached the semi-finals and will look to avoid the mistakes of the previous edition and repeat the exploits from the one before that.

Atlético Madrid had been pursuing Koné and, given Roma’s need to generate €50 million in capital gains before July 1, were confident of getting a deal done in the region of €40–45 million. However, with UEFA giving clubs a bit of leeway due to the World Cup and extending that deadline by a month, Roma have been allowed to remain firm on their stance with players deemed key to the Gian Piero Gasperini project.

Up until last month, the Giallorossi were not willing to listen to offers for Koné under €50 million; that number has now gone up to €60 million, and given how things turn out at the World Cup, it may rise even more. That makes a move to Madrid ever less likely and one to the Premier League that much more plausible, and there is veritable interest from England in the shape of Man United and Liverpool, both of whom are keen on midfield reinforcements.

Koné contract at Roma, fetching a gross annual salary of €5.19 million, is set to run until June 2029.

Roma hold the cards

Standing firm has paid dividends, and with the extended deadline and Koné’s exploits with France at the World Cup, Roma have never been in a stronger position. It is very likely that the €60m number may go higher, what with both Liverpool and United keen on midfield signings to for their managers ahead of matchday one.

That said, United’s recent signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, with Youri Tielemans’ arrival at Old Trafford also imminent, they may blink first and leave the way open for Liverpool to pounce on Koné. The Reds have been crying for a more prominent presence at the centre of the pitch and could do a lot worse than taking a punt on Roma’s star Frenchman.

Anshuman Joshi | GIFN