Manu Koné is emerging as a significant target for AC Milan as the transfer window enters its final days. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s recent comments during the unveiling of Youssouf Fofana highlight a crucial point: Koné is not just an alternative to Fofana but is highly regarded by the Milan management and could be the last addition to Coach Paulo Fonseca’s squad.
Ibrahimovic emphasized that the club is closely monitoring Koné, mentioning his impressive growth as a player. The 22-year-old French midfielder, currently with Borussia Monchengladbach, has made 22 appearances and scored once in the Bundesliga last season. However, Milan’s pursuit of Koné hinges on two key conditions.
Firstly, they need to agree on a fee with Gladbach, likely under €20 million. Secondly, Milan must offload two or preferably three midfielders to free up a spot in their squad list. The most likely candidates for departure include Yacine Adli and Tommaso Pobega, both left out of the lineup for the recent match against Torino. Their exits seem likely in the coming week.
Additionally, Ismael Bennacer is another potential candidate who could make way for Koné. Bennacer has drawn interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and has been considering a move, initially planning for a transfer in a couple of seasons but could leave earlier if the right offer comes along.
Koné fits perfectly into Milan’s strategy under the management duo of Furlani and Moncada. Young, French, and experienced in the Bundesliga—this player ticks all the right boxes for Milan, who have keenly focused on this particular market. He has a strong physical presence and shares similar attributes with Fofana, indicating he could thrive in Italy. Now, all that’s left is to secure a deal with Gladbach.