Mansion Sports – Manchester United appear to hold an early advantage over Arsenal in the race to sign Manu Koné, with the Roma and France national team midfielder seeking a new step in his career and wanting to test himself in the Premier League after his emotional elimination from the World Cup.

Red Devils Lead the Race for Koné

Manchester United have shown strong interest in Koné and currently hold the leading position ahead of their Premier League rivals in the pursuit of the midfielder.

The 25-year-old has become a primary target for the Old Trafford hierarchy as they look to strengthen their midfield following the 2026 World Cup.

According to L'Equipe, Arsenal remain in the race to sign the former Toulouse player after being linked with his services for several months.

However, the Red Devils are believed to be one step ahead at the current stage of negotiations. The French outlet reported that Koné is the top priority for the Old Trafford club, and the player is open to moving to the north of England.

The Player Wants a Move to a Stable European Giant

Koné is arguably at an important stage of his career after spending two seasons in the Italian capital with Roma.

During his time in Serie A, he made 82 appearances and played an important role in helping Roma finish third in the standings with 73 points.

The appeal of the Premier League has become a key factor in the player's considerations, with Koné viewing England as his preferred destination.

Although Inter have long been linked with interest in him, the financial strength and prestige of England's top division appear to have attracted the midfielder.

Manchester United Are Not Rushing to Complete the Transfer

Like many other clubs during a summer transfer window that has slowed because of the World Cup, Manchester United are determined to take their time with this transfer process, carefully evaluating the potential deal and ensuring that they do not overpay for the France international midfielder.

Nevertheless, Koné remains one of the leading names on the midfield target list compiled by Manchester United's decision-makers, and the player himself is reportedly positive about the possibility of moving to the north-west of England.

Ideally, Koné wants his future to be resolved as soon as possible, although there is no guarantee that the process will be completed in the near future.

Strong Interest from Premier League Clubs

Although Manchester United and Arsenal are the two clubs most frequently linked with Koné, they are not the only interested parties.

Two other Premier League clubs, whose identities have not been disclosed, have also expressed serious interest in the France international.

This level of interest demonstrates Koné's rising value after making 19 appearances for Les Bleus and delivering solid performances during France's run to the World Cup semi-finals this summer.

The midfielder appeared highly emotional after France suffered a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals, a moment that became one of the most memorable images for the national team throughout the tournament.

After taking time to recover and process the disappointment, Koné is now fully focused on the future of his professional career.