Manchester United Eyes Third Midfielder as INEOS Greenlights £50m Kone Deal Manchester United are set to finalize a £50m move for Roma midfielder Manu Kone, marking their third major signing of the summer transfer window. The deal, which has received the green light from INEOS, comes after the club confirmed agreements for Ederson (from Atalanta) and Andrey Santos (from Chelsea), with the combined fee for the two players totaling around £85m. Kone, a 25-year-old defensive midfielder, has emerged as a serious target following Roma’s willingness to sell him at the specified price. Kone, who joined Roma from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024 for under £20m, has become a key asset for the Serie A side. Despite securing Champions League qualification, Roma faces financial pressures from UEFA regulations, making Kone their most valuable saleable player. The club has already engaged intermediaries to discuss potential destinations, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool all shown interest. Kone, who played 37 matches for Roma last season and contributed two goals and three assists, has expressed enthusiasm for a move to England if the right opportunity arises. United’s pursuit of Kone follows the collapse of their bid for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni. Despite initial hopes, Mourinho confirmed that Tchouameni would remain at Real Madrid, with the club offering him a new contract through to 2031. This development forced United to explore alternatives, leading to Kone’s rise on their shortlist. The club’s recruitment team has also considered other options, including Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, but inflated valuations for Premier League players have hindered progress. The £50m fee for Kone aligns with United’s financial flexibility.#manchester_united #real_madrid #ineos #romas #manu_kone
Michael Carrick sends subtle Bruno Fernandes message to INEOS after Fabrizio Romano reveals ‘serious proposals’ Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has emphasized the significance of Bruno Fernandes to the club, sending a message to co-owners INEOS amid ongoing speculation about the attacking midfielder’s future. Fernandes, 31, has been a consistent performer for the Red Devils, contributing both goals and assists across multiple managers. His recent display in a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace highlighted his value, as he scored a penalty and assisted Benjamin Sesko’s goal, helping United move up to third in the Premier League. Fernandes’ performance against Palace marked a milestone, making him the third player in Man Utd history to reach over 100 goals and 100 assists, following Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs. The Portuguese star is set to face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday, with his season tally of seven goals and 14 assists already impressive. Carrick praised Fernandes’ impact, stating in a pre-match press conference that the player’s contributions “sum up Bruno as a character” and that his place in club history is “irrelevant” to him. Despite his importance, Fernandes’ future remains uncertain. The player is under contract until the summer of 2027, with an option for an additional year. While he has previously turned down offers from Saudi Pro League clubs, Fabrizio Romano reported that interest from Saudi teams persists. Romano noted that Fernandes received “serious proposals” from Al-Hilal, including “very big offers,” during the 2023 transfer window. The midfielder chose to stay at Old Trafford, prioritizing his role in helping the club succeed. Romano emphasized that financial considerations are not the primary factor in Fernandes’ potential departure.#manchester_united #michael_carrick #fabrizio_romano #bruno_fernandes #ineos
