Manchester City has identified AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone as a potential signing to reinforce its midfield following the recent sales of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders. The combined transfer fees for Rodri and Reijnders, who departed earlier this week, are reported to be around £110 million, creating immediate needs in Enzo Maresca's squad just prior to the Premier League season's commencement.
City is also reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Lille's deep-lying midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, valued at £85 million, to strengthen the area further. Kone, a 25-year-old French international who featured in five World Cup matches, is on City's list of transfer targets before the window closes.
Kone has spent the last two seasons in Serie A with Roma, scoring four goals in 63 appearances. He is primarily recognized for his dynamic play and effectiveness off the ball. Roma has reportedly set an asking price of approximately £51 million for Kone, a figure comparable to the amount paid by Al-Qadsiah for Reijnders.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United had previously been linked with the former Borussia Mönchengladbach player. Manchester United had reportedly held discussions with Kone's representatives, but are now pursuing Brighton's Carlos Baleba. Kone, who has 19 caps for France, started four matches during the summer's World Cup, including the semi-final against Spain.
Manchester City also maintains interest in Enzo Fernandez, though Chelsea's soft deadline for a potential £120 million deal has passed without a formal bid. Fernandez reportedly wishes to reunite with Maresca, but City is reluctant to meet Chelsea's valuation.
In other transfer activity, Newcastle United is exploring a move for Nico Gonzalez. Manchester City is also in advanced discussions to sell Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham Hotspur. These two potential deals combined could be worth upwards of £140 million. Maresca has indicated that both players may be considering their futures due to limited playing time last season.