Kone’s World Cup Performances Draw Attention

Roma midfielder Manu Kone has been linked with a move to Arsenal, with reports from Italy suggesting that personal terms have been agreed. The 25-year-old, who has just completed his second season with Roma, is currently representing France at the World Cup. His performances in the tournament have reportedly increased his transfer value.

Kone started in France‘s recent group match against Norway, a game that determined the top spot in their group. This follows his appearance in the tournament opener against Senegal, where he did not start due to an injury. However, he has since returned to full fitness and delivered an impressive performance in holding midfield during France‘s victory over Iraq.

During the match against Norway, Kone’s early involvement was notable. He delivered a diagonal ball to Ousmane Dembele, which opened up the Norway defence. He also contributed defensively, dispossessing Leo Ostigard, leading to Kylian Mbappe setting up Dembele for the opening goal. Kone’s ability to disrupt opposition build-up play was also evident, as he frequently pressed at opportune moments.

Praise from Patrick Vieira

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has expressed significant admiration for Kone, describing him as the ‘best midfielder in France.’ Vieira, speaking on punditry duty, stated that he would rate Kone above both Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot due to his mobility, aggression, ball-winning ability, and technical skills in breaking lines and playing forward.

Vieira acknowledged that Kone had a challenging season leading up to the World Cup due to injuries. Despite this, Kone’s current focus remains on the international tournament. Ahead of France‘s opener against Senegal, Kone stated his desire to concentrate solely on his commitments with Les Bleus, deferring any discussions about his future until after the World Cup.

Arsenal‘s interest in Kone comes as manager Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield. While Inter Milan have also shown interest, Arsenal has emerged as a front-runner. Reports indicate that Roma is seeking at least €50 million for the midfielder. Kone has already played 250 club matches across three leagues.

Transfer Speculation and Roma’s Stance

The speculation surrounding Kone’s future has intensified with his strong performances at the World Cup. Roma had previously resisted strong pushes from Inter to acquire Kone, both last summer and in January. The club is reportedly hoping to retain Kone, especially after qualifying for the Champions League.

However, Roma is also aware of Arsenal‘s significant interest, which could be appealing to the player. Kone’s consistent inclusion in the France starting XI, including four of the six qualifying matches for the tournament, highlights the confidence placed in him by coach Didier Deschamps. His work-rate, positioning, and ability to perform under pressure have been noted.

While Kone’s quality is undeniable, some aspects of his play have been observed. For instance, a missed tackle led to a penalty being conceded in the match against Norway. His approach to play when not in possession has also been mentioned as something that might be scrutinised by Premier League viewers. Nevertheless, his football intelligence and vision are considered to be advanced for his experience level.

Kone’s current focus remains on the World Cup, a tournament he has always dreamed of playing in.

Source: standard.co.uk

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