Earlier this week, we reported that Manchester United were pushing for Manu Koné while AS Roma held firm on their valuation. The next update is sharper. Roma are now asking for at least €60m, up from €50m before the World Cup, and United are still described as the club that has been most consistently interested and taken more steps. Liverpool and Chelsea are in the picture too.

Roma's new valuation

The scale of the jump is obvious. Roma bought Koné from Borussia Monchengladbach in summer 2024 for €18m plus €2m in add-ons. Less than a year later, the asking price is at least €60m, helped by his World Cup performances for France and by the fact Roma need to balance the books.

Gian Piero Gasperini put that financial pressure in plain terms. Speaking to teamtalk.com, he said: "I believe there will be more clarity in the coming weeks." He also added that Roma need to "balance the books, which have been burdensome in recent years." That is the part keeping this alive, even with Roma finishing third in Serie A on 73 points and on a strong run of five straight wins.

United, Liverpool and Chelsea in the chase

Fabrizio Romano said United have already "reached out for Manu Kone" but only "on the player side at the moment, not with Roma yet." That is why they remain the clearest early movers. Chelsea have now entered the conversation, while Liverpool's interest is still live after a feature that highlighted Koné's five World Cup appearances for France and his 92.0% pass completion.

United's own league position helps explain why they are being linked with midfield additions at all, since they finished third in the Premier League on 71 points. Liverpool's renewed interest is more selective, but the broader point is simple enough: Koné is not being treated like a fringe option any more.

Roma's stance has changed with the market, and that makes the next few weeks the key part of the story. United have the most concrete contact so far, but Chelsea and Liverpool are still circling, and Roma are not moving from a price that now starts at €60m.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →