Al-Ahli’s €50m pursuit of Kone sparks race with Al‑Hilal and Man Utd
Roma have signalled openness to a sale of midfielder Manu Kone for around €50 million, prompting confirmed interest from Saudi club Al‑Ahlí, fellow Saudi side Al‑Hilal and English giants Man Utd, while the French international faces several hurdles before any move can materialise.
Gianluigi Longari, quoted by AlfredoPedullà.com, explained that Al‑Ahlí have placed Kone on a shortlist that also features Idrissa Gueye, but the Saudi side must first off‑load Enzo Millot before adding any new midfield talent.
The requirement to sell Millot has been described as a non‑negotiable precondition for any incoming business, meaning Al‑Ahlí cannot complete a Kone deal until that player departs.
Kone himself must give consent to any Saudi transfer, and Roma are awaiting offers while monitoring the situation closely.
Even if the consent issue is resolved, negotiations with Roma would have to start from scratch, and Kone would need to open the door to a move to Saudi Arabia, a decision that carries weight for the France international who has attracted Premier League interest this summer.
Man Utd entered the race after their planned signing of Atalanta’s Ederson fell through, and Roma are reportedly willing to sell Kone for roughly €50 million as they look to balance the books under UEFA scrutiny.
Gian Piero Gasperini, who has been urging attacking reinforcements rather than departures, warned that losing Kone would be a significant blow, although the funds generated could accelerate the arrivals he has demanded.
A photo from June 22, 2026, shows Manu Kone #6 of France and Youssef Amyn #7 of Iraq contesting the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, highlighting the player’s international profile.
Al‑Hilal also remains in the race for Kone, underscoring the broader competition among Saudi clubs to secure the midfielder’s services.