Liverpool look likely to add another midfielder this summer, with work being needed to patch up the engine room following a disappointing season.
The Reds were far too easy to play through under Arne Slot, and one of Andoni Iraola’s key assignments will be to add a little more steel and energy to the midfield three.
Adam Wharton had looked the most probable addition, but links to the Crystal Palace midfielder have since gone cold, suggesting that Liverpool have a different plan.
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There are a number of highly interesting options available in the market this summer, but after forcing his way into the France starting XI at the World Cup, former target Manu Kone is showing that, three years on from Liverpool first looking to sign him, he should now be at the top of the shortlist.
Kone expected to leave Roma this summer
Liverpool last revamped their midfield in 2023, and before they bought Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, there were strong rumours that Kone was likely to arrive.
Unfortunately, the then Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder picked up a summer injury, which appeared to ward the Reds away from signing him.
Kone ultimately stayed at Gladbach for another season, before joining Roma for a paltry £17m.
As L’Equipe reported earlier in June, though, the 25-year-old is expected to leave Roma this summer, with previous claims that a fee of around 50 million Euros could get a deal done.
While they may still kick themselves that they did not sign Kone three years ago, that is still a price that would feel palatable to Liverpool.
As Kone is showing at the World Cup, having started two of France’s three matches so far, he is a midfielder with a really high ceiling who could play at an even better level than he currently is.
Kone ticks all the boxes for Liverpool
What Liverpool want from their new midfield signing remains to be seen in some ways, although the trail going cold for Wharton following Iraola’s appointment suggests that the Spaniard would prefer a more physical, robust presence in the middle of the pitch.
Kone is certainly that. Standing at 6 feet 1 inches high, the former Toulouse player is big, strong and excellent at winning the ball back.
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More defensive minded than any of Liverpool’s current starting midfielders, Kone is also capable of playing on the front-foot too, and regularly drives up the pitch with the ball at his feet.
In terms of what Liverpool need in their midfield right now, the France international really does tick all the boxes.
With big money being spent elsewhere in the summer rebuild, his fee and likely salary would not break the bank for Liverpool either.
As the World Cup continues and Kone’s importance to France grows, there is a chance that Roma feel they could ask for much more to sell him this summer. As a result, Liverpool need to get in there early and secure a player who looks to be an excellent fit at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp recognised Kone’s qualities and saw what he could bring to Liverpool. Three years later, he could be the missing piece to Iraola’s new-look midfield.
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