Arsenal Agree Personal Terms with Koné
Arsenal have taken a significant step towards landing their primary midfield target, with reports from Italy claiming the Premier League champions have agreed personal terms with Manu Koné. The Roma midfielder, currently on World Cup duty with France, has expressed a strong desire to move to the Emirates, favouring a switch to Arsenal over both Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Mikel Arteta has identified the 25-year-old as the ideal reinforcement for his engine room as he looks to build on last season's domestic success. Negotiations are now accelerating, with Arsenal keen to wrap up a deal before the end of June.
“Arsenal have an agreement in principle with Koné, and Roma will not stand in his way if their valuation is met,” a source close to the situation told Football Italia.
Roma’s Financial Constraints Force Sale
The Giallorossi find themselves under pressure to generate significant capital gains before the June 30 UEFA settlement deadline. With other potential high-value exits – such as Matias Soulé – failing to attract concrete offers, Koné has emerged as the most viable route to balancing the books.
Roma are demanding €50 million for the Frenchman, which would yield a profit of approximately €38 million given his residual book value of around €12 million. The funds are earmarked to reignite interest in Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville, while Ismael Koné of Sassuolo has been identified as an affordable replacement in midfield.
Roma’s management is prepared to sanction the sale, aware that keeping an unhappy player beyond the deadline could deplete his market value and jeopardise their financial compliance.
Quick Facts
Asking Price: €50 million
Book Value: ~€12 million
Estimated Profit for Roma: ~€38 million
Player Preference: Arsenal over Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan
Roma Replacement Target: Ismael Koné (Sassuolo)
Tactical Fit: What Koné Brings to the Emirates
Koné has developed into one of Serie A's most complete box-to-box midfielders since joining Roma from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2024. His ability to break up play, carry the ball forward, and contribute in the final third would add a new dimension to Arteta’s midfield, which at times relied heavily on the creativity of Martin Ødegaard.
Standing at 1.85m, the French international offers physicality and press resistance, traits that should suit the intensity of the Premier League. His versatility – comfortable as a No. 6, No. 8, or even in a double pivot – gives Arteta tactical flexibility, something he has craved since the departure of Granit Xhaka.
With Thomas Partey entering the twilight of his career and Albert Sambi Lokonga still unproven, Koné could slot in alongside Declan Rice to form a formidable barrier in front of Arsenal’s backline, while also enabling the Gunners to transition more quickly from defence to attack.
Key Takeaways
- Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Manu Koné and are pushing to finalise a €50 million transfer from Roma.
- Roma are motivated sellers due to UEFA settlement requirements and the need to raise capital gains before June 30.
- Koné favours a move to the Premier League and has rejected interest from Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.
- The deal would see Roma profit around €38 million, which would be reinvested in attacking targets like Mason Greenwood.
- Arteta views Koné as a key addition to bring physicality and tactical versatility to Arsenal’s midfield.