Manu Kone’s preference is to join a Premier League club this summer having already turned down a move to Atletico Madrid.
The Roma midfielder is enjoying a fine World Cup for France, turning in an outstanding midfield display as Les Bleus booked their place in the semi-finals with a victory over Morocco.
Arsenal have shown interest in signing the 25-year-old this summer with Mikel Arteta eager to reinforce his options in the middle of the park. The Gunners however appear to be focusing their attention on a deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.
Manchester United have also been credited with interest in the former Toulouse youngster – interest that has heightened after it emerged their move to sign Ederson from Atalanta may now be off.
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A fee of £35million plus £3.8m in add-ons was agreed in June with the midfielder undergoing an initial medical before he was called up by Carlo Ancelotti to Brazil’s World Cup squad as a late replacement for injured right-back Wesley.
Following Brazil’s elimination, Ederson had a second medical with United and it was after those examinations when the Premier League side informed Atalanta that they would not proceed with the deal.
While United are wrapping up a move for another Brazilian in Andrey Santos who will join from Chelsea for £50m, Michael Carrick wants up to three new midfielders added to his squad this summer.
According to reports in Italy, United’s interest in Kone has stepped up considerably over the last 24 hours.
Gazzetta dello Sport report they have identified the France international as their next midfield target and are now preparing a ‘significant’ offer with Roma demanding €50m (£42.6m) .
Arsenal are still said to be interested along with Newcastle while Atletico Madrid were prioritising a move for him at the end of June.
However, Kone’s preference is a move to the Premier League with Atletico since turning to Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand.
United are seeking to rebuild their midfield this summer and want to sign at least two midfielders – possibly three with Manuel Ugarte now facing a spell on the sidelines.
Kone’s performances at the World Cup have enhanced his reputation with Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira already a huge admirer, believing his skillset is better than that of Tchouameni.
‘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 ahead of France’s game against Norway.
‘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.’