Manchester United have now been linked with a midfielder whose “valuation has skyrocketed” after their move for Atalanta and Brazil player Ederson fell through.
That is according to Italian reporter Marco Barzaghi, who revealed what he has heard about Manchester United’s transfer stance going forward this summer.
The Red Devils are preparing for a major midfield rebuild after signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and are closing in on a deal for Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans.
Ederson had been planned as a midfield option for this summer’s transfer strategy and the Red Devils had struck a deal to sign him from Atalanta last month.
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Marco Barzaghi explains that Man Utd want Roma’s Manu Kone after Ederson’s transfer collapsed
Manchester United agreed to a deal worth £38m to land Ederson, with an initial fee of £35m to be paid and a further £3m agreed in add-ons for the 27-year-old.
However, the transfer for Ederson collapsed last week after concerns over a potential knee injury, with Atalanta now keen to keep hold of him this summer.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Marco Barzaghi has said that Man Utd could now look to rival the likes of Arsenal in the race to sign Roma midfielder Manu Kone.
“Now you’ve seen at the World Cup what a devastating player he is,” he explained.
“He almost carries France’s front line on his own, supporting that incredibly dangerous group of attacking players with his physicality, running, ball recoveries, but also his build-up play and vertical passing.
“His price has now risen to over €50 million. Manchester United have cooled their interest in Ederson precisely for that reason – they’re trying to sign Kone instead.
“Arsenal and all the other top English clubs have also made him one of their targets.”
WHO should Manchester United sign instead if the deal for Ederson has COLLAPSED?
Roma’s position on France midfielder Manu Kone amid Man Utd and Arsenal’s transfer interest
Manu Kone is away at the World Cup and has played a key part in France’s run to the semi-finals after featuring in four of the six matches under Didier Deschamps.
Barzaghi has suggested that Roma manager Cristian Chivu holds Man Utd-linked Kone in high regard and the France international’s transfer value has increased.
“Chivu is a big admirer of Manu Kone. His valuation has skyrocketed after the World Cup,” he said.
“If they had managed to sign him last year, it would have been an incredible piece of business. Inter could have taken him even for €40million, but then Roma backed out.”
Kone, who is under contract with Roma until 2029, has made 82 appearances for the Serie A club and has netted four times and registered six assists so far.
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