Manchester City Targets AS Roma’s Manu Kone to Strengthen Midfield
Manchester City is currently working to enhance their midfield options following the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Tijjani Reijnders. The club has identified Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s experienced midfielder Enzo Fernandez as their primary targets. Recent reports also suggest that AS Roma’s French international Manu Kone has emerged as a potential candidate for Manchester City.
Manchester City have identified Manu Kone as a potential midfield target.
Jack Gaughan from The Daily Mail reports that Manchester City has placed AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone on their transfer wish list. Roma is reportedly seeking around £51 million for Kone. In addition, Gaughan notes that City remains optimistic about finalizing a deal to acquire Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille and continues to show interest in signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, although they are reluctant to meet Chelsea’s demanding price of £120 million for Fernandez.
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Perhaps, the picture is coming into view of how City want to strengthen their midfield.
At first glance, the possibility of Nico Gonzalez transferring to Newcastle United seemed puzzling. The Spanish midfielder has proven his capabilities as a number six during the first half of the 2025-26 season with Manchester City. However, he has since fallen out of favor. Notably, Mateo Kovacic has been chosen over Gonzalez in midfield by Enzo Maresca, which may indicate City’s openness to selling him.
Manu Kone primarily positions himself as a number six at Roma but is also capable of playing as a number eight. He displayed similar flexibility during the 2026 World Cup with the French national team. Kone’s physical strength would serve him well in the Premier League. He excels at connecting the defense and midfield with attacking plays—a skill that Manchester City seeks in their midfield. Additionally, Kone is a proficient ball carrier, an attribute that would benefit Enzo Maresca’s tactics.
Kone showcases impressive athleticism, effectively covering the pitch. However, he needs to enhance his duel-winning capabilities, an essential quality in the Premier League. If paired with players like Elliot Anderson, Kone’s weaknesses in this area could be mitigated.
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The initial thought regarding Nico Gonzalez’s potential exit from Manchester City raised questions. However, should City pursue Manu Kone, the reasoning might become clearer. It appears that City views Kone’s attributes as a potential upgrade over Gonzalez. If this is their strategy, the midfield overhaul that Manchester City is attempting could begin to take shape.
Manchester City are in the midst of attempting to bolster their midfield. With Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having left the club, City are looking at midfielders with Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and Chelsea’s battle-hardened midfielder Enzo Fernandez as the two top targets. Now a new report has named AS Roma’s French international Manu Kone as a potential target for Manchester City. When you step back and look at the picture City may be trying to paint, a move for Manu Kone makes sense. Especially if fan favourite Nico Gonzalez did also leave City this summer.
Manchester City have identified Manu Kone as a potential midfield target.
Jack Gaughan has reported for The Daily Mail that Manchester City have placed AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone as a potential transfer target. Furthermore, Gaughan reports that Roma have placed an asking price of around £51 million on Kone. Gaughan also reports that City remain hopeful of concluding a deal to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille and retain an interest in signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. However, City have no interest in paying Chelsea’s £120 million asking price for Enzo Fernandez.
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Perhaps, the picture is coming into view of how City want to strengthen their midfield.
At first, the potential of Nico Gonzalez moving to Newcastle United didn’t appear to make a great deal of sense. The Spanish midfielder has shown that he can play as a number six for Manchester City, which was evident during the first half of the 2025-26 season. However, he’s fallen out of favour since that point. Perhaps tellingly, Mateo Kovacic has been preferred to Nico Gonzalez in midfield by Enzo Maresca, which may provide a clue as to why City could be open to selling Nico Gonzalez.
Manu Kone typically plays as a number six for Roma. The French international can also play as a number eight. He also played a similar role for France at the 2026 World Cup. Kone is physically strong, which is an attribute that would suit playing in the Premier League. In possession, Kone is adept at connecting the build-up play between the defence and midfield and the attacking areas. That skill is what Manchester City need in midfield. Manu Kone is also a quality ball carrier which is a skill that would be useful for Enzo Maresca.
Manu Kone is an athletic midfielder who covers the pitch extremely well. However he does need to improve his ability to win duels. Winning duels is vital in the Premier League. However, if Kone played alongside Elliot Anderson for example, that would cover this area of Kone’s game.
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The first thought when Nico Gonzalez was mentioned as a player who could leave Manchester City was why? Perhaps, if City move for Manu Kone that picture becomes clearer. Perhpas City view Kone and his strengths as a player as an upgrade on Nico Gonzalez. If that is the case perhaps the puzzle City are trying to put together in midfield makes more sense.
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