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Manchester City have reportedly made Roma midfielder Manu Kone one of their main transfer priorities for the final fortnight of the summer window. Enzo Maresca wants to strengthen his midfield choices after a number of major departures, and the France international has emerged as a strong option to add the dynamism the Premier League champions are looking for.

City look for midfield additions

According to The Guardian, Manchester City have placed Kone on their shortlist of possible signings before the approaching transfer deadline. Under new manager Enzo Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana, the club are in the middle of a major reshaping of their midfield department.

City have already sanctioned the high-profile exits of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders this summer, creating a significant gap in the centre of the park.

Although they recently completed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a huge £116 million deal, the Manchester club are still searching for more quality so that they are fully equipped to defend their domestic title this season.

World Cup star drawing attention

Kone raised his profile globally after delivering a string of impressive performances for France at the 2026 World Cup. The 25-year-old played in five of his country's eight matches during the tournament in North America, and France won all four games in which he was named in the starting line-up.

His outstanding displays on the international stage led Roma to raise their asking price to about £51m, a figure that appears to have discouraged Manchester United from pursuing their early interest further.

City, however, are now in a strong position to satisfy those financial demands, particularly after bringing in major funds from the recent sales of Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah and Rodri to Barcelona.

Bouaddi and Fernandez also on midfield shortlist

As well as chasing Kone, City are moving closer to an £85m deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old is regarded as an exciting talent, but Maresca is also keen on the top-level experience that Kone would offer straight away. City continue to monitor Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez too, but an internal deadline linked to his release clause has already passed without any formal offer being made.

What next for Manchester City?

Maresca and his players are getting ready to begin their new Premier League season against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. Away from the field, Viana is facing a hectic final two weeks of the transfer window. City need to complete their pending outgoing transfers quickly and put an official bid to Roma if they want to bring Kone into the squad before the September deadline.