Manchester United reportedly reach personal terms with Kone, but are unwilling to pay €60 million; two Premier League defensive midfielders also under consideration.

Per Italian outlet *Il Romanista*, Manchester United hold the upper hand in the race for French holding midfielder Manu Koné and have secured a personal deal with the player. Nevertheless, this does not guarantee the 25-year-old's arrival, as the key sticking point remains the transfer fee. It is worth noting that just a month ago, similar reports claimed Koné had agreed personal terms with Arsenal, yet the move ultimately fell through.

Manchester United believe Koné's price should not exceed €50 million, but Roma's asking price is over €60 million. Roma's sporting director, Tony Damico, is hoping for more clubs to join the race, driving up the fee, and he will not sell Koné below the premium valuation.

Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli have opened negotiations with both Roma and the player's representatives, but they need to free up a foreign player slot first. Atlético Madrid remain interested after having a €40 million bid rejected, while Premier League clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal could also enter the fray.

Koné's future increasingly seems to be away from the Italian capital, with a move to England still the most likely option. Manchester United are his preferred destination, and he hopes to make a name for himself at Old Trafford. However, if Sir Jim Ratcliffe is unwilling to provide the funds, the transfer will not happen—just like the case of Crysencio Summerville, who moved from West Ham to Al-Hilal this week.

Sometimes, money really is everything, especially when Saudi financiers are willing to pay an €80 million transfer fee plus a €16 million annual salary! In contrast, Roma's offer for Summerville was only €40 million and a €4.5 million wage. For professional athletes with short careers, the temptation of a contract that guarantees financial freedom is hard to resist.

Contrary to the big spending by other clubs this summer, Ratcliffe, who initially vowed to spend £80 million on a replacement for Casemiro, now seems to have changed his mind, opting to continue down the "value-for-money" path. Manchester United's third midfield signing may cost less than £50 million, or even less.

British outlet Sky Sports reports that any talk of Koné's imminent transfer is premature. Manchester United have other candidates on their list, one of whom is Bournemouth's Tyler Adams. The Cherries are willing to sell the American international for under £50 million.

The 27-year-old Adams also has only two years left on his contract with Bournemouth and has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs. The "Cherries" are reluctant to part with their core player Alex Scott, but Adams is considered expendable. According to the *Daily Mail*, Adams' fixed transfer fee could be very affordable, possibly as low as £35 million.

Adams' strength lies in his running ability. Among 85 midfielders in the Premier League last season, he ranked in the top four in five out of ten statistical categories, and he also excelled in tackles, interceptions, and aerial duels. Manchester United have long been interested in him, but in their 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in December last year, Adams was forced off early with a knee injury. However, his performances as captain of the host nation USA in the World Cup, where he achieved respectable results, drew widespread attention.

The *Guardian* reports that Fulham's Sander Berge has also been a long-term target for Manchester United. The Norwegian international is valued at around £40 million, which falls within Ratcliffe's approved budget. Although Berge is already 28, United's recent signing of 29-year-old Youri Tielemans shows that Ratcliffe is no longer overly fixated on age, as long as the price is right.