​Gian Piero Gasperini has praised Manu Kone, saying the midfielder is “having a great World Cup,” and while he acknowledges Roma still faces the challenge of balancing their books, he is confident that there will be “more clarity” about the Manchester United target in the weeks ahead. Kone has been shining with the France national team, who are among the favorites to go far at the 2026 World Cup, and his high-profile performances this season are drawing interest from top European clubs, notably Manchester United.
United have reportedly scrapped their plan with Atalanta for Ederson, finalized a deal for Andrey Santos from Chelsea, and are in negotiations to sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Yet there remains a possibility that Michael Carrick could add a third option to a midfield engine room that currently lacks depth at Old Trafford. In discussing Kone’s status, Gasperini spoke in an interview with Radio Rai 1, saying: “Kone had a great first half of the season, and then he faced an injury setback in the second half. He’s having a great World Cup. He didn’t play with the France national team last year, but now he’s earned a starting role. It underscores his potential and the hard work he has invested.”
Earlier in the summer, reports suggested Roma might need to sell a high-profile player like Kone to satisfy the terms of their financial fair play settlement with UEFA. Gasperini acknowledges that Roma still must balance their accounts, but he also believes that a clearer picture will emerge soon. He explained: “Financial fair play rules aren’t always precise or uniform; they vary from club to club. It’s undeniable that Roma know we have to balance the budgets, which has been difficult in recent years.” He added that the club had hoped entry into the Champions League would be enough to ease the financial constraints, but budgets remain a crucial factor that must be respected. “I think there will be more clarity in the coming weeks,” he concluded.
The backdrop to these comments is a Roma side undergoing scrutiny over its economic framework as it contends with the pressures of competing at the highest level. Gasperini’s remarks align with the broader reality that while star players like Kone can attract significant interest from Europe’s elite, clubs must navigate the delicate balance between investing in top talent and maintaining financial stability. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Roma to see how they reconcile the ambition to retain and strengthen their squad with the obligations of financial fair play and the evolving dynamics of the transfer market.
For readers seeking deeper insight into Gasperini’s broader philosophy and Roma’s strategic approach to youth development and sustainability, the full interview touches on topics ranging from the state of Italy’s football system to reforms in the youth sector, signaling a holistic view of how clubs can compete domestically and on the continent while adhering to prudent financial management. The discussion underscores the delicate interplay between on-pitch performance, recruitment, and financial governance that defines modern football at the top level.