Manchester United is eyeing a €60 million French top-tier B2B midfielder, with Liverpool and Atlético Madrid also in the race.

Following Casemiro's exit, Manchester United's primary goal this summer is to reinforce the midfield. After securing André Santos and Tielemans, they continue to look for another midfielder. Due to the need to compete on multiple fronts next season and Ugarte's severe injury, the holding midfield role remains thin.

Earlier, British journalist Ben Jacobs appeared on the Manchester United fan channel The United Stand to discuss the club's next midfield target. He mentioned French player Manu Koné. Jacobs stated that United has inquired about the player's asking price and holds him in high regard, but no further contact has been made between the clubs.

Manu Koné can play as a number 6 or number 8. He began his career at Toulouse, moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the winter of 2021, spent three seasons in the Bundesliga, and then transferred to Roma in the summer of 2024. In the 2025-26 season, Koné made 29 appearances (28 starts) in Serie A for Roma, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists, with an average rating of 7.10.

This summer, he played for France at the 2026 World Cup, starting in four matches and playing a key role in the team's run to the semifinals. After the World Cup, transfer rumors surrounding him quickly intensified.

Koné's most prominent trait is being a "carrying midfielder." He loves to drive forward with the ball, using his body to shield opponents and create space for his team. Scouting reports categorize him as a "modern B2B midfielder," with excellent ability to win back possession and provide defensive cover. Statistically, he ranks in the top 10% among European midfielders for ball recovery and in the top 15% for progressive passes—a rare combination of attacking and defensive qualities.

Defensively, Koné is a strong tackler and a persistent ball-winner, known for his aggressive and physical style. His stamina, speed, and explosive power are outstanding, allowing him to cover large areas of the pitch continuously. Manchester United manager Carrick is looking for a player who "can defend and do the dirty work in midfield," and Koné almost perfectly fits that description.

However, Koné's weaknesses are clear. His goal and assist output is relatively modest, and his threat in the final third is limited. He can sometimes be slow in decision-making during attacking phases. Additionally, due to his reliance on physicality, he is prone to fouls and carries some injury risk.

Moreover, there is the question of whether Koné is a number 6 or a number 8—a decision United needs to make. In his first season at Roma, he primarily played as a number 8, instinctively carrying the ball forward. It was only in his second season under Gasperini that he was asked to take on more defensive duties, dropping deep to help with ball distribution from the back.

In other words, Koné is inherently a midfielder who likes to push forward, not a pure defensive anchor. If United views him as a direct replacement for Casemiro, expecting him to sit deep and sweep up, they might repeat the mistake of misplacing Fred and McTominay in the wrong roles.

Santos and Tielemans are more focused on tempo control and vertical passing, while Koné offers running coverage, physicality, and ball-carrying—elements that are currently lacking in United's midfield. If Carrick can clearly define Koné's role rather than forcing him into the number 6 position, this deal could very well become the "final piece of the puzzle" in United's midfield rebuild.

So how likely is Koné's move to Manchester United?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, United has had a phone conversation with Koné's agent, and the relationship is positive. The player himself is open to a transfer. Koné asked his agent to pause negotiations during the World Cup to focus on the national team, but now that France has been eliminated, the negotiation window has officially opened. Additionally, Rio Ferdinand has revealed that United has reached an agreement with Roma over Koné's transfer, but the price remains the biggest variable.

Roma's asking price for Koné is around €60 million, approximately £51 million. United has already spent £82 million this summer on André Santos and Tielemans, and if they spend another £51 million on Koné, their total midfield investment would exceed £130 million.

Furthermore, Liverpool and Atlético Madrid are also listed as potential destinations for Koné. Roma has received inquiries from several clubs about the player. While United has an early advantage, they are not the only suitors. In other words, United not only faces a high price tag but also fierce competition, making the task quite challenging.