Rumoured Liverpool transfer target Manu Kone is wanted by Newcastle United this summer, according to a new report surrounding his future.
The Reds have made it clear that midfield reinforcements are essential in the summer window, having toiled there throughout the 2022/23 season.
The likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson really struggled for form in 2022/23, looking leggy, while Liverpool also had to make do without Thiago, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Stefan Bajcetic for chunks of the campaign because of injury.
The Reds’ midfield has immediately been strengthened thanks to the arrival for Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton earlier this month, but more players have been linked with moves to Anfield, including Borussia Monchengladbach star Kone.
According to journalist Ignazio Genuardi on Twitter, however, Newcastle are now also keen on snapping up the 22-year-old before the start of next season, along with Chelsea:
“Approached by #Liverpool , the former Toulousain M. #Kone also arouses the interest of #Chelsea and #Newcastle. Under contract until June 2025 with Gladbach (+ an additional year as an option), Bleuet is very popular with the Magpies, who are looking for 2 reinforcements in the midfield.”
Our thoughts on Newcastle’s interest in Kone…
This is clearly a concerning update from a Liverpool perspective, with Newcastle able to offer Kone Champions League football next season, which can be a massive lure for any player.
Being able to test yourself up against Europe’s best footballers is the ultimate test, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Monchengladbach ace’s head turned.
That being said, the hope is that Kone still likes the idea of heading to Liverpool and playing under a manager of Jurgen Klopp’s magnitude, seeing him as a key part of the midfield rebuild for years to come.
At 22, the talented Frenchman would be a long-term signing with an extremely high ceiling, but he is already a formidable player in his own right, making 60 appearances for Monchengladbach and proving to be an influential box-to-box presence.
Kone has averaged 2.5 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game in the Bundesliga last season, as well as completing 87.3% of his passes across 30 appearances in the competition, showing what a complete midfielder he is.
