Roma reject Newcastle United’s advances for Manu Kone

Manu Koné will not be leaving AS Roma in the January transfer window, as the club have definitively rejected an approach from Newcastle United, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his midfield and views the French international, who was intensely pursued by clubs like Inter Milan last summer, as a priority winter target. However, Koné’s current club is refusing to entertain offers.

Roma’s decision is driven by a firm stance from the ownership, management, and coach Gian Piero Gasperini. They have established a clear policy against selling core players mid-season, considering Koné a foundational pillar of their project. Despite the strong interest from the Premier League and his current salary (€2.8M annually, with a potential contract extension looming), the player is content and settled in the Italian capital.

The report adds that Koné is not the only Serie A target for the Magpies, who are also keeping tabs on Lazio’s Matteo Guendouzi.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN