Manu Kone set to snub Atletico Madrid as Arsenal move tempts french star

Roma midfielder Manu Kone has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer, despite receiving a formal approach from Atletico Madrid, according to reports from Quotidiano Sportivo.

Manu Kone Rejects Atletico Madrid as Arsenal Transfer Priority Becomes Clear

The French international enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign with the Giallorossi, playing a pivotal role in helping the club secure Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years.

However, Roma’s financial situation means they will need to sanction a major sale this summer, and Kone appears to be the prime candidate to depart.

Atletico Madrid have already tabled a £39 million bid to secure the 25-year-old’s services, but the player has made his preference clear.

Kone wants to test himself in the Premier League with Arsenal and will only make a final decision on his future after France’s World Cup campaign concludes.

The Gunners have yet to respond to Atletico’s offer, but Kone is patiently waiting for a counter-proposal from the north London club in the coming days. His representatives are understood to be monitoring the situation closely.

The potential pursuit of Kone comes at an interesting time for Arsenal, with Declan Rice recently revealing he has been managing neural hamstring pain since the start of the year.

The England international has shouldered an enormous workload and could feature in 70 matches by the end of the current season if the Three Lions reach the World Cup final.

Arsenal may need to exercise extra caution with Rice’s fitness heading into the 2026/27 campaign, making a defensively-minded midfielder like Kone an attractive proposition.

The Frenchman can also operate effectively from the number eight position, offering valuable versatility.

Kone’s statistics from last season make for impressive reading. The former Borussia Monchengladbach man won an average of five duels and two tackles per Serie A appearance, while also making five ball recoveries per game.

His performance against Iraq at the World Cup, where he played the full 90 minutes while Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni remained on the bench, demonstrates his growing reputation.

With Kone ready for a bigger challenge, Arsenal now face a decision on whether to match Atletico’s £39 million bid for a player who clearly wants to wear the red and white.