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Manchester United seem to have taken an early lead over Arsenal in the race to sign Manu Kone, with the Roma and France midfielder eager for a new challenge and keen to test himself in the Premier League following a heartfelt exit from the World Cup.

Red Devils ahead of Arsenal in Kone pursuit

United have demonstrated strong interest in Kone and currently appear to be ahead of their Premier League rivals in the battle for his signature. The 25-year-old has emerged as a primary target for the Old Trafford management, who are eager to strengthen their midfield options after the 2026 World Cup.

According to reports from L'Equipe, Arsenal remain firmly interested in the former Toulouse player, having monitored him for several months. However, the Red Devils are believed to hold the upper hand at this stage of negotiations. The French outlet notes that Kone is a top priority for United and is open to making a move to northern England.

Player seeking move to a stable European powerhouse

Kone appears to be at a crucial point in his career after spending two seasons in Italy with Roma. During his spell in Serie A, he made 82 appearances and played a crucial role in helping Roma secure a third-place finish with 73 points last season.

The attraction of the Premier League is a key factor in Kone’s decision-making, with the midfielder viewing England as his preferred destination. Although Inter Milan have long been linked with him, the financial strength and prestige of the English top flight seem to have swayed his interest towards a move to England.

United taking a measured approach to the deal

With the summer transfer market progressing slowly due to the World Cup, United are adopting a cautious approach in their pursuit of Kone. The club’s hierarchy is carefully evaluating the potential deal to ensure they do not overpay for the French international.

Nevertheless, Kone remains high on United’s shortlist of midfield targets, and it is understood that the player himself would welcome a move to the north-west of England. Ideally, he would like his future settled soon, though there is no certainty that negotiations will move that quickly.

Rising interest across the Premier League

While Manchester United and Arsenal are the most high-profile clubs linked with Kone, they are not the only ones monitoring him. Two additional Premier League clubs, whose names have not yet been revealed, have also shown serious interest in the French midfielder. This growing admiration underscores Kone’s increasing reputation, bolstered by his 19 international caps for France and an impressive showing during their run to the World Cup semi-finals this summer.

The midfielder was visibly emotional following France’s 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals—an image that resonated with many fans and became one of the defining moments of the tournament for Les Bleus. After taking time to recover and reflect, Kone is now fully focused on his next professional challenge.