Manchester United board raise doubt over £51m Manu Kone transfer

Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Manu Kone (Getty)

Manchester United’s hierarchy are split over a move for AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone, according to reports.

United have already signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer but Michael Carrick is still looking to add a third midfielder to his squad before the start of the new Premier League season.

Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams are both on United’s shortlist, while a move for Aurelien Tchouameni is also being considered if Real Madrid indicate that they are open to selling the France international this summer.

Kone, meanwhile, was also part of France’s World Cup squad who were beaten by Spain in the semi-final earlier this month.

Reports in Italy this week have claimed that United have agreed personal terms with Kone, however, the Premier League side have not finalised a transfer fee with Roma.

The Serie A club are said to be demanding a €60 million (£51m) package for the 25-year-old.

Roma are demanding a €60 million (£51m) transfer fee for Manu Kone (Reuters)

However, The Telegraph reports that not everyone in United’s recruitment team fully supports a move for Kone and that a deal for the French midfielder does not have ‘universal backing’ among the hierarchy at OId Trafford.

The report adds that there also appears to be reservations behind the scenes at United over a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

United attempted to sign Baleba last summer but Brighton put a £100m price tag on the 22-year-old, who went on to have an inconsistent season under Fabian Hurzeler.

On Friday, United sealed a 5-0 win over Rosenborg in their latest pre-season friendly.

‘I think we’re in a good place. I think there’s four weeks to go to the start and we’re gradually getting some boys back from the World Cup as we progress,’ Carrick said after his side’s win in Norway.

‘But I think a little bit of patience and time and trying to keep ahead and as I said, keeping everyone fit but moving forward is a really good direction to go in. And as it stands right now, I think we’re in a pretty good place. So, the boys will get better as we go.’

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