AS Roma is at the center of intense transfer talks with Manchester United, who are aiming to sign midfielder Jean-Clair Kone for around €60 million. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Red Devils are reportedly considering including Marcus Rashford as part of the deal to bridge the valuation gap between the two clubs.

Manchester United’s proposal

United officials have already initiated contact with Kone’s representatives, but the deal is far from finalized. The proposal would involve adding Rashford, whose net salary exceeds €11 million per season-a figure well beyond Roma’s financial means. Any agreement would likely require a complex loan arrangement with the Premier League side subsidizing a significant portion of his wages.

Roma, who finished the 2025 season in third place with 73 points, now faces the challenge of balancing sporting ambition and financial sustainability. Their recent 2-0 win over Hellas Verona on May 24, 2026, capped a five-game winning streak, but the club must now decide whether to sell Kone to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

Why Roma might accept

Kone, who joined Roma in the summer of 2024 from Borussia Mönchengladbach on a contract running until 2029, scored two goals and provided three assists in 37 appearances last season. While he is keen on a move to the Premier League, the Frenchman has not ruled out a return to France with Paris Saint-Germain. His stay in Rome, therefore, appears increasingly temporary.

What Roma’s alternatives are

Should the Manchester United deal collapse, the Giallorossa are reportedly exploring other options to strengthen their squad. Among them is RB Leipzig forward Antonio Nusa, already on the club’s radar. Either way, Roma will need to find concrete solutions to avoid sanctions from European football’s governing body.

With the new season approaching and the need to solidify the squad, Daniele De Rossi’s management must act carefully. The talks with Manchester United represent both an opportunity and a financial and sporting challenge that will demand precise strategic choices.

AS Roma, fresh off a season with 59 goals scored and 31 conceded, now sits just 14 points behind league leaders Inter. The club, which has already signed Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Tynan Thompson, must balance ambition and sustainability to build a competitive team.