MANCHESTER UNITED IN TALKS OVER ROMA MIDFIELDER MANU KONE

Manchester United have held talks with representatives of Manu Kone as the club pursues a third midfield signing for the summer transfer window. Kone plays for Roma and represented France at the World Cup. The club have already signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal worth £50 million and triggered the £35 million release clause of Youri Tielemans to sign him from Aston Villa.

The pursuit of further midfield options follows the departure of Casemiro at the end of his contract and a serious knee injury sustained by Manuel Ugarte. Michael Carick, described as wanting another option to accompany his new signings and Kobbie Mainoo, has identified Kone as a target. Roma are understood to be open to selling Kone for around £50 million this summer. Kone was praised by Patrick Vieira, who described him as "better than Tchouameni" following his World Cup performances.

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have held contact with Kone's agents but have made no formal bid to Roma nor initiated club-to-club contact at this stage. Kone remains one of several options being assessed by the club as they look to finalise their midfield reinforcements for the coming season.