Man Utd surprise fans by adding a World Cup star to their transfer list after their top choice fell through
INEOS are shaking things up this summer at Manchester United, and Michael Carrick has added a surprising name to his list of targets.
It’s been nearly a month since the transfer window opened, and the Red Devils have been busy trying to build a team that can compete on all fronts next season. Carrick’s main focus has been fixing the midfield after Casemiro left and Manuel Ugarte got a serious knee injury.
At the start of last month, United agreed to pay £35 million for Ederson from Atalanta, and he’s now just waiting to pass his medical to join the Premier League after Brazil’s World Cup exit.
But Manchester United don’t want to stop there. On Wednesday, it was revealed they have also agreed to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50 million. Santos is expected to have his medical soon and will join his fellow Brazilian teammate at Old Trafford.
Carrick isn’t done yet—he’s also keeping an eye on Roma star Manu Kone. According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United is planning a move for the 25-year-old defensive midfielder, especially after missing out on their first choice, Aurelien Tchouameni. The report says Roma are ready to sell Kone for about £50 million.
Tchouameni, who plays for Real Madrid and has been Kone’s teammate for France, was a top target, but his new six-year contract at Madrid means he’s off the table for now. Kone, with similar skills in winning the ball and carrying it forward, could be a cheaper and strong alternative. His World Cup performance has also caught attention.
Kone has made 17 appearances for France and played 37 games for Roma last season, helping them qualify for the Champions League. Being able to join Manchester United might be a chance he simply can’t pass up.
Last season, Kone was a key player for Roma, especially with his defensive skills, which earned him a call-up to France’s World Cup team. According to FotMob, he was among the top 15% of players in Serie A for ball recoveries and top 19% for tackles. His strength in midfield really stood out.
Manchester United need someone to protect their defense next season, and Kone might be just the player for the job. Last year, France’s coach Didier Deschamps called him “underrated,” praising his progress and versatility.
Deschamps said, “Manu Koné is underrated. He had a great season with Roma and is becoming more important with us every week in training. He’s excellent at winning the ball, but he also contributes when using the ball.”
Kone also showed his ability to help attack, with five goal contributions in Serie A, proving he’s not just a defensive player but someone who can make a real difference up front too.