Roma midfielder Manu Kone has been linked with Arsenal and Inter Milan this summer but is keen to focus on his World Cup campaign, for now.
The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Toulouse before a move to Borussia Monchengladbach and then to Roma in 2024.
That move cost Roma around €20 million (£17.3m) and they could be set to make a substantial profit on him this summer, having signed a five-year contract in 2024.
L’Equipe reported last week that Kone is ‘expected to leave’ Roma this summer, with Inter Milan at the front of the queue for his signature.
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The French publication also stated that Arsenal have ‘expressed an interest’ in the midfielder and no decision on his next move has been confirmed as yet.
Kone has spoken about his future to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, but only to say that he is focussing on the World Cup for now, intending to deal with a potential transfer when France’s campaign comes to an end.
‘Honestly, right now I’m only thinking about the World Cup. It’s my first major international competition, a tournament I’ve always dreamed of playing in,’ he said.
‘I want to remain exclusively focused on this. We’ll talk about the future after the World Cup and see what happens.’
France boss Didier Deschamps has an incredible squad of players to choose from at this summer’s tournament and Kone may well be in the starting XI.
The Roma star has played regularly for his country since making his debut in 2024, racking up 14 caps and will hope to feature in a successful campaign in the coming weeks.
Kone made 37 appearances for Roma in all competitions last season, hampered at times by hamstring injuries, which kept him out of action for club and country since Christmas.
The central midfielder is not known for his goal-scoring exploits, netting twice last season and four times over his two years at Roma.
Former England defender Micah Richards recently lavished praise on Kone and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery, believing they could play key roles for their country this summer.
‘France with that forward line are up there too – people talk about their midfield [being weaker compared to 2018] but Kone in midfield is outstanding,’ Richards told Metro.
‘Zaïre-Emery has excelled there and in other positions. Kante is still there and you know you are going to get hard work. With all the talent in front, you need people behind them who know what needs to be done.’