Manchester City have set their sights on Roma midfielder Manu Koné as manager Enzo Maresca looks to bolster his engine room following a whirlwind summer of transfer activity. The France international, valued at around £50m, has caught the eye of the Italian coach for his dynamic style of play.
Koné, 25, enjoyed a strong World Cup campaign, featuring in five of France's eight matches. Notably, Les Bleus won every game he started, underlining his influence when selected. Should City complete a deal, he would bring seasoned international pedigree to a squad that has undergone significant changes in midfield this window.
The potential move comes at a pivotal moment for City, who have already been busy reshaping their central options. The club paid £116m to sign Elliot Anderson and are reportedly closing in on a £85m deal for Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi. However, the two recruits offer contrasting profiles to what Koné might provide. Anderson, who partnered Declan Rice for England at the World Cup and made his Premier League debut for Newcastle back in 2021, arrives with top-flight experience, while 18-year-old Bouaddi remains a promising but unproven talent at the elite level.
City's midfield reshuffle has also been driven by departures. Rodri, Spain's World Cup-winning captain, left for Barcelona in a deal worth approximately £65m earlier this week, creating a significant void in the squad. That exit was followed swiftly by Tijjani Reijnders' departure to Saudi club Al-Qadsiah for around £51m, ending the Dutchman's spell at the Etihad after just a single season. Reijnders had operated primarily as a No 8 during his time in Manchester.
Further change could be on the horizon, with defensive midfielder Nico González also considered a candidate to leave before the transfer window shuts on 1 September. Amid this turnover, City are still expected to submit a formal offer for Chelsea's Enzo Fernández, though the west London club's £120m valuation is understood to be higher than what City are willing to pay.
Beyond incoming midfield reinforcements, City are simultaneously engaged in separate negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur that could see two attacking players head to north London. Talks are progressing over a potential double sale of winger Savinho and forward Omar Marmoush, in a package reportedly worth around £150m combined.
Savinho, a Brazilian winger, has been linked with a move to Spurs previously, while Marmoush, the Egyptian forward, has more recently emerged as a target under new Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Although no formal agreement has been finalized, sources indicate the discussions are advancing positively, with De Zerbi keen on adding both players to strengthen the depth of his squad ahead of the new season.
With the transfer deadline approaching, Manchester City appear set for a busy final stretch of the window, balancing efforts to reinforce Maresca's midfield options while also negotiating significant departures from their attacking ranks. The outcome of the Koné pursuit, along with the Savinho-Marmoush discussions, could shape the complexion of City's squad heading into the new campaign.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.