Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Manu Koné and are pushing for a deal with Roma, who are demanding €50 million for the French midfielder.
Arsenal have taken a significant step in their pursuit of Manu Koné after reportedly reaching an agreement on personal terms with the Roma midfielder ahead of a potential summer move.
The Gunners are keen to strengthen their midfield following their Premier League triumph and run to the Champions League final, with Mikel Arteta identifying Koné as one of his top priorities in the transfer market.
🚨| 🔥💣 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Arsenal have made contact with the entourage of AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné. No formal offer has been submitted to Roma yet. But the call has been made. And in transfer football, the call is always the first move.
And honestly… when you look at the… pic.twitter.com/aEJzF97eEy
— GRIM (@grimshub) June 11, 2026
The French international is currently focused on the World Cup with France, but reports suggest he is enthusiastic about the prospect of moving to North London. Koné is understood to favour Arsenal over other interested clubs, including Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
A move to the Emirates Stadium is believed to appeal strongly to the 25-year-old, who sees Arsenal as the ideal platform to compete for major trophies while continuing his development at the highest level.
While the player’s camp is not pushing for an immediate resolution during the World Cup, Arsenal are eager to advance negotiations with Roma before the end of June as they look to finalise key summer business early.
Roma, meanwhile, are under pressure to generate capital gains before June 30 in order to comply with UEFA financial regulations. As a result, selling Koné is increasingly being viewed as one of the most realistic ways for the Italian side to balance their books.
🚨 Arsenal have reached an 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 on personal terms with Manu Koné.
The Roma midfielder is keen on a move to North London and favours Arsenal over interest from Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.
A deal has not been finalised yet, with Arsenal still needing to agree a… pic.twitter.com/3WL4b292UQ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 17, 2026
The Serie A club have placed a €50 million valuation on the midfielder. Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is reportedly willing to approve the sale if the asking price is met.
The funds generated could then be reinvested into strengthening the squad, with Marseille winger Mason Greenwood and Bournemouth attacker Crysencio Summerville among the names linked with a move to the Italian capital.
Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Koné has also emerged as a leading candidate to replace Manu Koné should the transfer to Arsenal go through.
