Manchester United are looking to complete a third midfield signing in this transfer window, and Manu Kone is one of the stars who has been linked with a move.

The Red Devils have completed three signings so far this summer, sealing a £50m agreement for Andrey Santos and triggering the £35m release clause of Youri Tielemans to strengthen their midfield, while Karl Darlow has arrived on a free transfer to add more experience to the goalkeeper department.

But the club are still looking to add another midfielder to Michael Carrick’s squad before the new season begins, and an update has emerged on their pursuit of France international Kone.

Man Utd Not Interested in Kone

Kone, who has shone for France at the World Cup as an understudy for Aurelien Tchouameni, has been heavily linked with a move away from AS Roma following his performances.

United are reported to have made contact for the 25-year-old, but while appearing on the Talk of the Devils podcast for The Athletic, journalist Carl Anka revealed what he had been told about the club’s reported interest.

“No [he’s not a target],” he said. “I don’t have the phone book of Laurie [Whitwell] and Andy [Mitten], but from what I can tell – and when I tried to check on Friday – Manu Kone is NOT on Manchester United’s shortlist.”

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that United have made an enquiry for the France international, as they look at a number of different profiles to come in alongside Santos, Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo, with a more defensive-minded option being eyed.

Laurie Whitwell added that the club are looking for a ‘premium midfielder’ to come in, which could rule Kone out of the running. Carlos Baleba, Alex Scott, and Ayyoub Bouaddi have also been linked.

Mixed Messages Around Kone Deal

via Reuters

It’s clear that there is some interest in Kone from Old Trafford, but how far that interest stretches seems to be the main sticking point.

The club are keen to bring in someone who compliments the current options they have in the squad, and Kone would certainly do that with his energetic, ball-winning style, and quality in possession.

But there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration, and there are plenty of options available at this stage, so it’s one to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks.

Cristian Romero will leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Spurs have had a very busy summer so far, bringing in six players for Roberto De Zerbi. Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka have all joined on free transfers, while the club has also signed Jan Paul van Hecke for around £52m, and broken their transfer record twice to sign Mateus Fernandes (£85m) and Sandro Tonali (£100m).

But while De Zerbi is keen to continue adding to his squad before the new season, with forwards seen as a priority, it has now emerged that he will lose his captain during the transfer window.

Romano: Romero to Leave Tottenham

Romero, who has been described as ‘world-class’, had been expected to leave the north London club this summer after growing frustrated at the club not competing at the highest level.

Spurs have signed two new central defenders already this summer in anticipation of his exit, but Romano has now revealed that talks are underway for the Argentina star to depart.

Serie A champions Inter Milan have opened discussions over a deal to take him back to Serie A, while also showing an interest in full-back Djed Spence, but they are not alone in their interest.

Spanish champions Barcelona are also keen on a deal for the 28-year-old, as they look to bolster their defensive options. However, it’s understood that the costs of the deal would be very high, which is making any move stall at this stage.

However, it has now been confirmed that Romero will leave the club, and all parties are working towards finding an agreement to get the deal done once he returns from the World Cup.

Tottenham Well Prepared for Romero Exit

While it has now been reported as a certainty, Spurs will have known that their captain was going to be on the move for much longer.

Despite being a hugely important and popular figure in the changing room, it was known that he was unhappy when he started making public posts going against the ownership. His injury at the end of the season also meant that he wasn’t around during the run-in where they saved themselves from relegation.

Spurs have already got their replacements in, and De Zerbi will have known when he took over that this was likely, so now it’s just about getting the best possible deal.

Tottenham are set for fresh interest in one of their World Cup stars this summer, and Chelsea may have had a hand in it. Spurs have had a memorable summer transfer window so far, splashing out more than £235million to strengthen their squad and welcoming Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali as well as others.

Roberto De Zerbi is expected to turn Spurs into a side ready to qualify for Europe, and he is being given money to spend to transform a squad that has finished in the bottom half in back-to-back seasons. But while the spending has taken up all of Tottenham’s window so far, there will be exits.

Spurs will have to balance the spending, at least somewhat, and there are players who are going to want to leave the club this summer, while others may get their head turned by other teams.

Inter Milan join race for Tottenham’s Djed Spence

England World Cup star Djed Spence is attracting attention this summer, with Everton and Liverpool having already been linked, while there is now said to be fresh competition. According to reports in Italy, as detailed by Football Italia, Inter Milan are now considering a deal for Spence as they look to solve their right-back need this summer. Inter are said to have been on track to sign Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra only for Chelsea to hijack the deal, and that has led them back into the market.

Nahuel Molina and Brooke Norton-Cuffy are also said to be under consideration, but as is Spence, who has a reported asking price of £40million this summer. Spurs will want to keep the versatile full-back, who is enjoying a solid World Cup for England, largely playing off the bench.

Spence is becoming a reliable player

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

Spence’s development at Tottenham has not been linear, and it once looked as though his Spurs career was over before it had really begun. But the full-back has slowly become more dependable, and he was one of the more reliable players last season. A BBC Sport report of Spence’s performances back in February read: “He has even been playing out of position – fielded at left-back to fill in for Destiny Udogie when he is more naturally a right-back. Admittedly, there have been plenty of defeats on his watch, but Spence has held his own and the stats bear witness to his impact.

“Among defenders, only the combative Cristian Romero has a better duel success percentage this season in the Premier League for Tottenham – from exactly the same number of duels (the joint-third most for the team). Even more striking is the number of times he has been dribbled past – or not.

“His record of being beaten only three times is the best of any Tottenham defender. Compare that with his full-back rivals Udogie and Pedro Porro (even though they have played more minutes than Spence), and his ability in one-on-one situations is emphasised.”

After Spence’s impressive cameo for England against Norway, Rio Ferdinand posted on X: “DJED SPENCE – respect. People need to put some respect on his name!”