Transfer rumour · archive

Manu Koné to Arsenal

Quiet since 26 June 2026. Last report: Alfredo Pedulla. Probability when it went quiet: 32%.

Manu Koné, the 25-year-old French midfielder currently at Roma, has been linked with a move to Arsenal, though the story remains at the rumour stage. Roma hold him on a contract running to June 2030, and reported asking prices have ranged from £34m to £42.5m across different sources, with one higher figure of £64.5m in wider circulation. Arsenal, for their part, have actively distanced themselves from the speculation. The reporting here is led by Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, whose most recent dispatch, published just hours ago, referenced a background message from Koné's camp directed at Roma, hinting at awareness that his agents could table an offer in the final days before 30 June. A bid of £34m from Arsenal was cited by Ekrem Konur. Critically, Fabrizio Romano, corroborated by Matteo Moretto, has stated that Arsenal have played down talk of advanced discussions and do not currently view Koné as a target. That is a meaningful cooling note from two reliable voices. Given that Arsenal have publicly distanced themselves and the sourcing on the positive side rests primarily with one Italian journalist, this is a long shot for now. For it to progress, Arsenal would need to reverse their stated position and Roma would need to sanction a sale below their apparent valuation. For context, Arsenal paid £54m to sign from Dortmund and £57m from Sporting in recent windows, while Roma sold to Liverpool for £62m. A deal for Koné at the lower end of the reported range would represent relative value, but the appetite from Arsenal's side is yet to surface. The clearest next trigger

Who reported it