Liverpool’s expected midfield rebuild should get underway in a matter of weeks, so the timing of Roma’s decision to put Manu Kone on the transfer list could hardly be better.
The Serie A side are reportedly being forced into a sale amid mounting FFP pressure, with the France international now looking like the strongest candidate to be sacrificed before the end of June.
Inter Milan are credited with interest, but Liverpool have liked Kone for a long time. Given the profile, the price and the timing, it would be a surprise if they did not at least revisit the possibility of a deal.
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Transfer-listed Manu Kone is exactly the midfielder Liverpool need
Liverpool’s interest in Kone goes back years. The Reds were heavily linked with him during the 2023 midfield rebuild, before injury disrupted his summer and steered Liverpool in a different direction.
They were then left to rue missing out when Kone joined Roma for just £17m and has since established himself as a France international. Now, there may be another opening.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Roma have decided Kone is the player most likely to be sold to help their FFP position. They want at least €40m, with the final figure potentially moving closer to €50m with bonuses.
Kone is 25, physically imposing and exactly the kind of midfielder Liverpool have been missing this season. He wins duels, carries the ball through traffic and turns defensive moments into attacks.
That has been clear at Roma, where he carries much of the workload in the midfield unit — not too unlike Dominik Szoboszlai. The definition of an all-action midfielder.
Liverpool still need a more natural No.6 who can control possession, but Kone would immediately raise the athletic level of Arne Slot’s engine room.
Liverpool can use Curtis Jones to get Manu Kone
The interesting part is that Inter are also looking at Curtis Jones.
The same reports claim Inter continue to like the Liverpool midfielder, who was already close to joining them in January. That creates a potentially perfect triangle.
What would you do with Curtis Jones this summer?
Inter want Kone and Jones. Liverpool have Jones, but should be looking seriously at Kone. If the fees end up in a similar range, there is surely a route here that works for everyone.
Jones gets the fresh start at a European giant that he appears to want. Liverpool get the injection of power and physicality they badly need. Roma get the sale they require, and Inter get a midfield option they have admired for months.
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