As reported by Corriere della Sera, via Siamo La Roma, Arsenal have reached an agreement with Manu Koné’s agent and are considering making an official approach to Roma for the French midfielder.
The 25-year-old was one of the standout operators in the middle of the park for the Giallorossi last term and helped them clinch Champions League football.
However, Roma need to register €50 million is capital gains before the month ends to comply with UEFA’s financial regulations, which means many of their top players are being targeted by suitors aggressively.
Koné is one such player. He has already rejected an offer in the region of €45 million from Atlético Madrid. And while he is holding out for an offer from PSG, the two-time European champions are seemingly not interested in making a move for him at the moment.
This brings Arsenal into the picture. The recently crowned Premier League champions are looking to build from a position of strength and could be persuaded to meet the €50m price tag Roma have put up for the 25-year-old.
It’s either Koné or Svilar
Manu Koné and Mile Svilar are Roma’s biggest assets at the moment, and their financial predicament makes €50 million practically a release clause for both, unless a short bidding can ensue to raise that number.
But time is running out, and Roma are short on options. If, in Koné’s case, Arsenal have reached an agreement on a personal level, it is incumbent on Roma to find the best deal possible.
It is to be noted, however, that Roma spent €18 million to bring Koné to the Olimpico from Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Svilar arrived as a free agent. So Roma would press more for a fee in excess of €50 million and still be left with numbers to make up ahead of that June 30 deadline.
Anshuman Joshi | GIFN
