Manchester City have turned their attention to Roma midfielder Manu Kone following Manchester United’s decision to abandon their pursuit of the player.
City are now considered the frontrunners to land the French midfielder, who has impressed significantly during his time in Serie A with the Italian capital club.
Kone has established himself as one of the more sought-after central midfielders in European football, attracting interest from several top clubs across the continent.
Manchester United had been strongly linked with a move for the player but have since moved on, opening the door for City to step up their interest in the Frenchman.
The departure of United from the race hands City a cleaner run at negotiations with Roma, who are understood to value their asset highly ahead of any potential summer deal.
City’s midfield has been an area of focus for the club’s recruitment team, and Kone represents a profile that fits the technical demands of their system.
The 23-year-old joined Roma after his time at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he developed into a commanding presence in the middle of the park before making the move to Italy.
His ability to cover ground, win the ball back, and distribute effectively has made him an attractive option for clubs operating at the highest level of club football.
City’s interest signals their intent to continue building and refreshing their squad as they look to remain competitive domestically and in European competition throughout 2026.
Roma will be under no pressure to sell cheaply, and any deal is likely to involve significant negotiation between the clubs before a final agreement can be reached.
City’s move for Kone reflects a broader strategy of targeting young, established European midfielders who can add quality and depth to an already competitive first-team group.
With United now out of the picture, City appear well placed to make their move, and further developments in this transfer pursuit are expected in the coming weeks.
