Newcastle United are reportedly set to rival Liverpool in the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone.
According to 90min, Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Borussia Monchengladbach’s midfield starlet and Liverpool target Manu Kone as summer signing Sandro Tonali faces an uncertain future following his involvement in the Italian football betting scandal.
Tonali recently confessed to placing bets on his former club, AC Milan, during his time at the San Siro. This revelation could lead to a FIFA-imposed ban of up to three years. At the same time, it is understood that the Italian international could receive a reduced sentence due to his cooperation with the investigation.
A ban could potentially keep him out for the entire season, as Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe faces the grim reality of losing the £55 million signing for the foreseeable future. In response, Newcastle are exploring their options to bolster their midfield ahead of the January transfer window.
One name that has emerged as a potential candidate in 90min, is that of Borussia Monchengladbach’s midfield ace Manu Kone, who has shone in the Bundesliga ever since his move from Toulouse in 2021.
Kone, despite recent injury setbacks, has consistently showcased his prowess on the pitch as one of Gladbach’s standout performers in recent Bundesliga seasons. He has registered four goals and two assists in 62 appearances for Monchengladbach, starting 30 Bundesliga matches in the 2022–23 season.
The France Under-21 international was claimed to be among the chief targets for the Reds towards the start of the last summer window, with it widely anticipated that he will join alongside compatriot Khephren Thuram.
However, an injury sustained while on duty with France at the Under-21 European Championship appeared to hamper Kone’s chances of a move away from the Bundesliga side. Ultimately, the Reds went on to sign Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch.
Although his age profile, versatility, and dynamism makes him a hard prospect to ignore for Liverpool, he’s not currently a top-of-the-list priority for the Reds, who will be vying to sign a new left-sided centre-back in the upcoming transfer window.
Liverpool cooling their interest in Kone could open the door for Newcastle to make a concentrated push to secure his signature. Known for his technical abilities, especially while under pressure, and his willingness to bomb forward, the 22-year-old operates primarily as a holding midfielder.
He can also operate in a box-to-box role, something that has caught the eye of Newcastle, who deploy an all-action midfield three. However, Newcastle’s interest in the Frenchman comes with its fair share of hurdles.
Monchengladbach have tactically extended Kone’s contract until 2026 to protect their interests. This step effectively puts to bed any speculation about his availability for a bargain price, reinforcing the German club’s strong negotiating position.
While the Magpies covet the young talent, they must now navigate the financial implications of breaking their bank on a midfielder for the second straight window. It will be interesting to see if they meet the higher asking price to secure Kone’s services, or will explore alternative options to bolster their midfield ranks.
