Manchester United have opened talks to sign Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone for around £51 million, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, as the club plans three more summer signings after completing a £35 million deal for Youri Tielemans.
United unveiled Brazil international Andrey Santos as their first summer signing in a £48 million deal from Chelsea, followed by Welsh goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer after his three-year spell at Leeds United. The flurry of activity continued on Tuesday with Tielemans joining from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
Midfield reinforcements a priority after Casemiro departure
Two of United's first three summer signings being midfielders comes as no surprise, as manager Michael Carrick instructed his bosses to bolster the squad in that area following Casemiro's emotional departure. According to The Sun, United want a third midfielder after targeting Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali earlier in the summer.
Anderson is set to join Manchester City in a stunning deal worth £116 million, Fernandes has already signed for Tottenham, and Tonali could now stay at Newcastle United given Bruno Guimaraes is being heavily linked with a move away from St James' Park.
Kone targeted as alternative after other options fall through
United are interested in Bournemouth's Alex Scott, but the Cherries are currently demanding £80 million for the 22-year-old. Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, both linked with the Red Devils, are valued at similar amounts by Crystal Palace and Brighton. United are now internally discussing a move for Roma's Manu Kone, valued at around €60 million (£51 million) by the Serie A side.
Romano says United have reached out to Kone's agents to discuss a possible move to Old Trafford after the World Cup. Kone, heavily linked with Arsenal earlier in the summer, featured in five of France's seven World Cup games, including their semi-final defeat to Spain.
Plans for left-winger and forward also in motion
As well as signing a third midfielder, United are planning to bring in a new left-winger and another forward. Marcus Rashford is set to return to Old Trafford after Barcelona opted not to sign him on a permanent deal, but United are now trying to offload the England World Cup star. United admire West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to be on the move following the Hammers' relegation, and have been linked with Everton's Iliman Ndiaye.
Carrick may also bring in a new forward to provide competition for Benjamin Sesko, who recovered from a slow start to last season to score 11 goals in the Premier League.
Tielemans reacts to Manchester United transfer
Tielemans joined United shortly after returning from Belgium's World Cup campaign, where they reached the quarter-finals. 'It's hard to describe just how proud I am to join Man United,' Tielemans said. 'Signing for such a special club feels incredible, it is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football. I have had the privilege of experiencing success in the game and it has only increased my determination to achieve more. The ambition from everyone at the club is extremely clear; we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies over the coming years.'
Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox added: 'Youri has consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years. He has all of the technical qualities, as well as the ambition and mentality, to thrive at Manchester United. Youri's consistency is exceptional, and he will add further composure, creativity and leadership to our squad. We are delighted to welcome a player of his influence and experience, both on the pitch and within the dressing room, as we continue to build a team ready to challenge for the biggest honours.'
Former United midfielders praise Tielemans signing
Former Manchester United midfielders Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt are both delighted by the signing. 'I think he's a very, very good footballer,' Butt said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. '£35m for him is nothing, that's a phenomenal signing. So well done to the recruitment team because they've needed to get a rocket on haven't they in the transfer market. The bench at times last season was horrendous, we're trying to build a squad, not just a starting line-up. If we want to compete in all four competitions we have to build a squad. He's phenomenal at £35m.'
Scholes added: 'Tielemans will bring great experience, he's a really good player who knows the Premier League. He is a very, very good player and the fee is nothing, it's very cheap. But United might still need to get another midfielder. They might need another one in there. You need three players in that central midfield if you're playing Champions League football so it's still not enough.'
Manchester United finished third in the Premier League last season and begin their 2026-27 campaign on August 22 against newly-promoted Hull City.
