Manchester United have been told they must pay £51 million to sign Roma midfielder Manu Kone, according to reports from Corriere dello Sport.
The Red Devils have already been active in the current transfer window, completing the £50 million signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea earlier this summer.
United are also on the verge of securing Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, with the Belgian set to become the club’s second midfield arrival of the window behind Santos.
Despite that activity, United’s recruitment team appears keen to add further reinforcements in central midfield before the window closes.
United were reportedly prepared to spend £42 million on Kone just last week, but Roma have since raised their asking price to a firm £51 million following his impressive World Cup displays.
The 25-year-old has been a revelation for France during the ongoing World Cup in North America, attracting significant interest from top clubs across Europe.
Liverpool are also credited with serious interest in Kone, meaning United face stiff competition from their domestic rivals to land the former Borussia Monchengladbach man.
Roma’s revised valuation has been communicated to both United and Liverpool through agents and intermediaries, signalling the Italian club’s firm stance on his price.
The urgency around a deal is heightened by the new UEFA FFP deadline of July 31, with Roma potentially seeking a quick resolution to help balance their books.
Kone’s profile would offer United something their other midfield signings currently lack, as he brings a strong aerial presence and a tireless work rate to complement his technical ability.
Santos and Tielemans have drawn praise for their qualities, with Santos noted for his line-breaking passes and Tielemans recognised as one of the Premier League’s most reliable midfielders in recent years.
However, both players have been identified as less commanding in the air and can struggle against the pace of opposition counter-attacks, underlining the need for a more physically robust option.
Tielemans has shown no signs of slowing down despite turning 29, and United triggered a £35 million release clause to secure his signature from Aston Villa.
United will need to act decisively if they are serious about signing Kone, with Liverpool’s competing interest making this a race against time and their biggest rivals.