Aston Villa will look to sign 25-year-old French international Manu Kone from Serie A club AS Roma this summer.
According to a report by Italian outlet Sportmediaset, Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in Manu Kone. The 25-year-old midfielder has also been a target for Atletico Madrid, but the Spanish giants instead set their sights on Morten Hjulmand. So, a move to the Premier League is likelier for the AS Roma star.
How has Manu Kone fared at AS Roma so far?
Manu Kone has made significant progress since joining AS Roma from Borussia Monchengladbach in in August 2024. While the Frenchman rose in prominence during his spell in the Bundesliga, he took some time to land on his feet at the Serie A club. However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical influence has revitalised his form and fortunes.
The 25-year-old amassed over 2,500 minutes of game time in 37 outings across all competitions in the 2025/26 season, chipping in with two goals and three assists. Meanwhile, French midfielder’s progress has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs, with Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Manchester United among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Aston Villa will pursue a versatile midfielder in the coming weeks after selling Youri Tielemans to Manchester United. Additionally, Amadou Onana is a long-term absentee after sustaining a long-term knee injury during Belgium’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So, the Villans need multiple midfielders, with Kone emerging as a viable target.
Manu Kone has been on Chelsea’s wishlist for a long time. The continued interest makes sense, as Enzo Fernandez faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge. While a move to Real Madrid may not materialise after they publicly ruled out a deal, a summer departure may be on the cards.
As for Manchester United, the Red Devils also hold a long-standing interest in the Frenchman. The continued interest is understandable, as they are working to rebuild after parting ways with Casemiro and losing Manuel Ugarte to a long-term knee injury. While Andrey Santos is reportedly on the verge of joining Manchester United, they need at least two more midfielders.