Manchester United and Liverpool target available for €20m

The Football Faithful

·15 August 2024

Manchester United and Liverpool target available for €20m

Manchester United and Liverpool transfer target Manu Kone could be available for just €20m in the closing stages of the transfer window.

The midfielder has informed Borussia Monchengladbach of his desire to leave the club before the transfer deadline and the German side are prepared to sanction his exit.

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Kone has been on the radar of Premier League teams for some time with Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle all credited with interest in the defensive midfielder in recent transfer windows.

The 23-year-old caught the eye during the 2022/23 season as he ranked inside the Bundesliga’s top 10 players for tackles, progressive passes, successful take-ons and fouls drawn, though the Frenchman endured an injury-hit campaign last term.

Kone is contracted to Monchengladbach until 2026, though Sky Germany are reporting that the midfielder will be allowed to leave for an initial fee of €20m (£17.1m) rising to €25m (£21.4m) with add-ons.

The cut-price deal could see Manchester United and Liverpool return to the table after the Premier League duo were frustrated in their pursuit of defensive midfield targets.

United have been reluctant to meet PSG’s demands for top target Manuel Ugarte, who has a price tag of €70m (£59m) at the French champions.

Meanwhile, Liverpool saw Martin Zubimendi snub interest from the Premier League in favour of staying with Real Sociedad. The Reds had been prepared to meet Zubimendi’s €60m release clause in San Sebastien, though the Spain international has rejected a transfer to England.

It is the latest disappointment for Liverpool in their search for a defensive midfielder, having missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea last summer.