The Bundesliga season has officially kicked off, bringing with it intriguing developments that intertwine with the transfer market. The match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, which ended in a 3-2 victory for the German champions, has sparked interest in Serie A circles, particularly regarding midfielder Manu Koné, who has caught the attention of both Roma and Milan.
Calciomercato report that the midfielder, recently awarded by his club for winning silver with the French U23 team at the Olympics, was notably absent from Borussia Mönchengladbach’s squad for their season opener. Not only was Koné missing from the starting lineup, but he also failed to make the bench. This absence was explained by an official club statement released on social media, citing “market-related reasons” for his exclusion. The club explicitly stated, “Manu Koné is not part of the squad today due to a potential departure from the club,” leaving little doubt about the player’s imminent exit.
Koné has been repeatedly linked with Serie A clubs, with Roma reportedly leading the race to secure his services for manager Daniele De Rossi. Despite the recent acquisition of Enzo Le Fée, the Giallorossi are still looking to bolster their midfield in the final days of the transfer window, and Koné is a name that excites the coaching staff.
Milan are also monitoring the situation closely. While the Rossoneri’s transfer business is largely complete, they remain alert to potential last-minute opportunities. The possible departures of Yacine Adli and Ismael Bennacer (with the former not travelling to Parma and the latter receiving offers from Saudi Arabia) could potentially create room for a new addition to the squad.
According to Sky Deutschland, while Borussia Mönchengladbach has not yet received formal offers for their midfielder, Koné has clearly expressed his desire to move on. His exclusion from the squad and the accompanying club statement serve as strong indicators of this intent.
The German club values the player at a minimum of €20 million, a figure reflective of his contract, which runs until 2026. As the transfer window enters its final stages, all eyes will be on whether Roma, Milan, or perhaps another suitor will step forward with a concrete offer for the talented French midfielder.
