​Manchester United’s midfield could end up looking markedly different in the upcoming pre-season than many people anticipated just a few weeks ago. Earlier this week, United acted with unexpected speed to snap up Andrey Santos from Chelsea. The Brazilian was not originally among the club’s preferred targets at the outset of the summer window.
In addition, up until recently, a deal for Ederson seemed all but sealed after United reportedly reached an agreement with Atalanta before the World Cup. Yet, according to several Italian outlets, the Red Devils have chosen not to proceed with that move. Gazzetta dello Sport, in its Saturday edition (cited by Sport Witness), reports that Manchester United are showing significant interest in AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone. It is understood that United have been in touch with the France international’s representatives in recent hours and are poised to submit an offer to Roma. The Italian publication stresses that Roma will not entertain offers below €50 million.
Manu Kone, a Colombe native standing 6’1” with an impressive first touch and adept ball control, uses his frame effectively to shield the ball and drive play higher up the pitch. At the World Cup, he stepped in seamlessly for Aurelien Tchouameni, showcasing himself as a formidable presence in the French midfield for les Bleus. According to Sport Mediaset, United are prepared to bid €50 million (£42.7 million) to secure Kone. The Italian outlet emphasizes that United appear to be prioritising the Roma midfielder after witnessing his stellar performances for France in North America. The 25-year-old has already made four World Cup appearances and is now gearing up for a possible semi-final clash with Spain.
Meanwhile, Sport Mediaset reveals that United abandoned their pursuit of Ederson after the Atalanta star failed his second medical examination following his return from the World Cup. There are believed to be concerns with his right meniscus, an issue stemming from a knee injury he sustained last year in a preseason match against Cologne.
As for Ederson’s potential transfer, the reports indicate that the deal did not progress after the medical setback, reinforcing United’s pivot toward other midfield options rather than pursuing the Brazilian goalkeeper at this stage. It remains to be seen how United will balance their summer strategy, weighing the fresh interest in Kone against Santos’s arrival and any further developments in the transfer market.
In summary, Manchester United seem to be reconfiguring their midfield blueprint for pre-season, shifting attention toward Manu Kone as a key target while simultaneously reassessing earlier plans, such as Ederson, in light of medical and strategic considerations. The coming weeks will reveal how the club prioritises its options and what the final composition of the midfield will look like ahead of the new campaign.