Manchester United are reportedly closing in on their third midfield signing in less than a week, with a £45m fee agreed for Roma's Manu Kone, according to club legend Rio Ferdinand. Meanwhile, another reported target, Joao Gomes, is en route to Aston Villa for a medical after a £35m deal was struck with Wolves.
Gomes Set for Villa Medical
Joao Gomes has departed Wolves' training camp for a medical at Aston Villa, with a £35m agreement reportedly in place, according to talkSPORT. The 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder's move comes after Villa received the same fee from United for Youri Tielemans. Villa have acted swiftly to reinvest the proceeds, particularly after Amadou Onana suffered a serious injury at the World Cup. Gomes had been linked with Atletico Madrid, but a dispute with agent Jorge Mendes saw those negotiations collapse, allowing Villa to step in.
United 'Agree Kone Fee'
Speculation around United's pursuit of Manu Kone has intensified after his impressive World Cup campaign. Rio Ferdinand, via his YouTube channel, claimed that United have agreed a £45m fee with Roma for the French international midfielder. Ferdinand stated: "Fabrizio Romano just confirmed that Man Utd have agreed a £45m fee for Kone from Roma, the French international midfielder." However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano had previously noted only that United held discussions with Kone's representatives, stopping short of confirming an inter-club agreement.
United have already signed Tielemans and Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m this week, addressing a midfield area in need of reinforcement. After Casemiro's exit and the breakdown of Ederson's transfer from Atalanta, the club still desires a more defensively oriented midfielder. Santos can fulfil that role but lacks experience. Aston Villa are also reportedly interested in Kone, especially after losing Tielemans to United, potentially intensifying the rivalry between the two clubs.
United's squad is set to play its first pre-season fixture on Saturday, with the summer overhaul gathering pace under new manager Michael Carrick.
