Manchester City have held talks with intermediaries over a move for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Manu Kone, according to TEAMtalk, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all said to have made similar checks on the France international’s availability.
Kone, valued around £50m, is understood to be keen on a Premier League move, which City will see as an encouraging sign given the scale of the competition already circling him. The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s more complete midfielders over the past two seasons, combining defensive coverage with the range to progress play from deep.
The interest comes with Rodri entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad, with no extension yet signed. Sky Sports’ Ben Ransom has previously suggested Elliot Anderson, City’s British-record £116m arrival from Nottingham Forest, could eventually play alongside or in place of the Spaniard, but Kone’s profile would give Enzo Maresca a further option in that area regardless of how the Rodri situation develops.
Nothing suggests a move is close, with City understood to be at the discussion stage rather than formal negotiations, and four other Premier League clubs credited with parallel interest means City are far from guaranteed to win the race even if talks progress.
For a club already reshaping its midfield this summer, Kone represents a name to watch rather than an imminent arrival — but the fact he is reportedly open to a Premier League switch, at a time when Rodri’s long-term future remains unresolved, gives the interest more substance than most.
Story is based on reporting from TEAMtalk and not independently confirmed by Manchester City.
