Liverpool’s search for midfield reinforcements appears to be gathering pace, with reports claiming the Reds have enquired about Roma and France midfielder Manu Koné.
According to reports from Italy, Liverpool have asked about the 25-year-old and could make a more determined move in the coming months.
The interest makes plenty of sense when you look at Liverpool’s current midfield options.
The Reds have already shown this season that the combination of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch doesn’t always provide the control, energy and physicality that Andoni Iraola wants from his midfield.
And that is where someone like Koné could potentially come in.
Koné was very close to Chelsea
Koné was one of the most talked-about midfielders on Chelsea’s radar during the final stages of the summer transfer window.
The Blues reportedly got extremely close to signing him, with reports of a €65m (£56m) offer and personal terms being agreed.
However, Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini was determined to keep hold of the French international unless the club could find an adequate replacement.
Roma ultimately resisted.
That could prove significant for Liverpool.
Reports now suggest the Reds are monitoring the situation and could look to make their interest more concrete, potentially as early as January. Sky Sports has also reported that Liverpool have placed Koné on their radar as they consider midfield reinforcements.
He looks like the type of midfielder Liverpool need
Koné is a very different profile to some of Liverpool’s current midfield options.
He offers physicality, ball-carrying ability, aggression and defensive intensity — qualities that could give Iraola another dimension in the middle of the pitch.
That could be particularly important after what we saw against Fulham.
Liverpool struggled to control the game in midfield during the 0-0 draw at Anfield, and there is already a growing feeling that the club could have done with adding another midfielder during the summer.
Koné would certainly give Iraola another option.
And importantly, Liverpool wouldn’t necessarily need him to become an instant superstar.
They would simply need him to provide something different.
Chelsea aren’t going away
Liverpool may have competition, though.
Chelsea are expected to return for Koné after failing to get the deal over the line in the summer, while other Premier League clubs have also shown interest.
That means Liverpool may have to move quickly if they decide Koné is the midfielder they want.
Roma also have little reason to sell cheaply.
Koné is under contract until 2029 and became an important part of Gasperini’s plans after staying in Rome.
So this would almost certainly be a significant investment.
Could Koné be Liverpool’s answer?
I certainly wouldn’t be against it.
Liverpool need to be honest about what happened during the summer.
The midfield wasn’t strengthened, and the early signs suggest that could become a problem.
Mac Allister can change games. Szoboszlai has enormous ability. Gravenberch remains a talented player.
But Liverpool need another midfielder who can bring something different when games aren’t going their way.
Manu Koné could potentially be that player.
For now, this is only an enquiry and there is a long way to go before we can start talking about a genuine transfer.
But with Liverpool reportedly keeping tabs on Koné, this is definitely one midfield story worth watching.
And if the Reds do decide to make a serious move in the coming months, Chelsea could once again find themselves competing with Liverpool for the same player.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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