Manchester United Targets Roma Players Amid Financial Strain
Manchester United’s rebuild under INEOS is beginning to take shape, and Roma’s financial strain could hand them an early advantage in the summer market.
Two Roma players – Manu Kone and Evan Ndicka – have emerged as serious targets, with the Italian club under pressure to sell before the end of June. At the same time, United’s new hierarchy is pushing to lock in a permanent head coach well before the season closes.
Roma’s financial squeeze opens door for United
United are expected to be busy. Central midfield and centre-back sit high on their list, alongside additions at left-back, left wing and in goal. Roma’s situation might help tick off two of those priorities in one swoop.
According to Il Messaggero, via Sport Witness, Roma must raise around €80m (£69m) by June 30 to comply with UEFA regulations. That leaves sporting director Frederic Massara with an awkward brief: bring in major funds without ripping the spine out of the squad.
This is where United come in.
The report suggests “the red carpet could be rolled out” for them in the next window, with both Kone and Ndicka viewed as likely departures. United have been tracking the French midfielder and the Ivorian centre-back, and Roma’s need to sell could sharpen those talks.
Kone is described as the player “closest to a possible departure”, with United facing competition from Inter Milan. Roma’s stance is clear: if a strong offer lands, he goes.
Ndicka is also under serious consideration at Old Trafford. United’s hierarchy is wary of the injury issues that have dogged Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt this season, and they want another reliable, high-level central defender in the rotation. Earlier this month, United were told that Ndicka is viewed as “one of the very best central defenders in Europe”.
Both Kone and Ndicka are valued in the €40-45m (£35-39m) bracket, fees that sit within United’s planned outlay if sales and wage trimming go to plan.
If Roma’s financial reality bites as hard as expected, United could find two major pieces of their summer puzzle in the same dressing room.
INEOS moves early on next head coach
Off the pitch, the new regime is not waiting around either.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that United do not intend to leave their managerial decision until the final whistle of the season. The plan is to move once Champions League qualification is secured – and ideally to wrap things up by late April or early May.
“Manchester United would like to wrap up this process in late April or early May, not definitively at the end of the season,” Jacobs said. “Some candidates may complicate that.”
Michael Carrick remains a leading contender. His stock has risen since taking the job, and the mood around the club points to him having a stronger chance now than when he first stepped in. But there will be no coronation.
“Although [it’s] true Carrick is a frontrunner, and although [it’s] true there is a stronger chance now than when he first took the job that Carrick gets this, Man Utd won’t just hand it to him on a silver platter, there will be outreach to other candidates, there will be a thorough process,” Jacobs explained.
The key trigger is clear: Champions League football.
“I would expect development in the coming weeks because my information is not that Man Utd are going to wait until the end of the season, my information is that they’re going to wait until they secure Champions League football,” he added.
Carrick, for his part, is doing everything he can. He doesn’t carry an interim label, he’s involved in recruitment meetings, and he is popular in the dressing room. From a transition point of view, he is the simplest and quickest option. If he seals Champions League qualification – which is described as highly likely – United could move swiftly to confirm his future.
Baleba still on the radar – but only at the right price
While Roma’s Kone is one midfield option, he is not the only one on United’s radar.
The Athletic reports that United continue to monitor Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, though there is a clear stand-off over valuation.
United agreed personal terms with Baleba last summer before ever getting to the table with Brighton. That is where the deal hit the wall. Brighton demanded £100m, a figure United refused to meet, with their ceiling set at £75m.
Baleba has since endured a disappointing campaign, and United’s internal valuation has dropped again. They now see him as a £50m player.
Brighton are notoriously tough sellers. Letting the Cameroonian go for that figure would be a major surprise, especially given his age and upside.
Even so, United still rate him. Data analysis suggests Baleba would dovetail well with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, and his performance in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Chelsea reminded scouts why he was so highly thought of in the first place. United believe he is edging back towards that level.
So the picture is clear. Roma’s financial stress, Brighton’s hardline stance, a manager search tied to Champions League qualification – United’s summer is already moving, even before the window opens. The only question now is how ruthlessly INEOS turns all that planning into deals.
