Arsenal Reportedly Eyeing Roma's Manu Koné for Midfield Reinforcement
Published June 13, 2026
Arsenal is reportedly targeting French international midfielder Manu Koné from AS Roma, with a potential €40 million move on the horizon to bolster their squad for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
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Following a successful 2025/26 Premier League campaign, which saw them lift the title for the first time in over two decades, Arsenal is already making moves to strengthen their squad for a robust title defense. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are reportedly casting a wide net, with a particular focus on enhancing their midfield options ahead of the 2026/27 season, which will follow the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across North America.
The latest reports suggest the Gunners have registered significant interest in AS Roma's highly-rated French international, Manu Koné. The holding midfielder, who has previously earned high praise from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, is seen as a potential ideal partner for Declan Rice in the heart of the team's midfield. According to French outlet L'Equipe, Arsenal is considering a substantial offer of €40 million (£35.5 million) to secure his services.
This pursuit of Koné comes amidst a flurry of transfer speculation surrounding the North London club. While their reported approaches for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz were unsuccessful, Arsenal has also been linked with several other attacking talents, including Bradley Barcola, Christos Tzolis, and Ander Barrenetxea, as they anticipate potential departures in the wide areas. Additionally, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White are understood to be key targets for creative roles, indicating a comprehensive strategy to fortify the squad across multiple positions.