Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle with AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone.
The France international has been on the radar of a number of clubs this summer, enhancing his reputation further with some impressive performances for Les Bleus during the World Cup.
Arsenal have also shown interest in the 25-year-old while reports have also claimed Chelsea have held talks with his representatives over a move to Stamford Bridge.
Old Trafford has emerged as his most likely destination however with United rebuilding their midfield this summer having already brought in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.
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Michael Carrick wants a third new arrival in midfield with United back amongst the elite in the Champions League next season and have been in regular contact with Kone’s representatives.
L’Equipe this week said United have ‘the upper hand’ in the race to sign Kone with the report adding the midfielder would welcome a move to Manchester.
Corriere dello Sport now report an agreement has been met between the two camps with Roma expecting an official offer from the Premier League club.
Kone has been priced at €50million (£42m) during the summer transfer window with United ready to make an offer ‘close’ to that figure.
The newspaper states however Roma now want €60m (£51m).
Saudi club Al-Ahli have also contacted Roma over a move.
United’s midfield rebuild has seen them enquire into a move for Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni but the France star is set to be offered a new contract at the Bernabeu with no indication he wishes to leave.
In Kone, United could be signing a more than capable alternative with France and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira rating the Roma star higher than his countryman.
‘He has come into the World Cup with a couple of injuries and it has been a quite difficult season for him,’ Vieira told ITV during their coverage of France vs Norway at the World Cup.
‘But he is for me, the best midfielder in France today. I would put him ahead of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot because he has got this mobility to move around the pitch.
‘He is aggressive, he is a ball winner and he has got this technical ability to be part of the build-up. He can break lines and play forward.’