Inter are building next season starting from the heart of the pitch. In the meeting he had with the Nerazzurri leaders, Cristian Chivu mentioned a specific name: Manu Koné. Compared to previous months, different signals are coming from Trigoria: faced with an important offer, Roma could really open up to negotiations.
The coach likes Koné very much because he perfectly embodies the type of player that the Beneamata is missing today. An aggressive midfielder in winning back the ball, powerful in transitions and capable of breaking the opponent's pressing thanks to his strength in handling the ball at his feet, but who also manages to support the phrasing with his teammates, something that perhaps Davide Frattesi lacks.
In fact, the Romanian coach wants a more vertical team, less scholastic and more ferocious in attacking spaces, especially in high-intensity European matches.
It is not just a technical request, but almost an identity choice.
Quanto vale il nazionale francese e quanto guadagna
The Giallorossi continue to consider Koné a central player in the project, but faced with a proposal between 40 and 50 million euros he could sit at the table. The most recent rumors speak of a valuation of around 45 million, a figure that the Nerazzurri would try to lower by inserting technical counterparts or taking advantage of any budgetary needs of the Capitoline club.
In terms of salary, the player receives around 2.8 million net per season from Roma, but the transfer to Inter would inevitably lead to an adjustment close to 3.5 million plus bonuses. A heavy investment but consistent with the new course wanted by Chivu and approved by Oaktree, which aims to rejuvenate the squad while maintaining immediate competitiveness.
I numeri di Koné alla Roma
Since arriving in the capital, Koné has grown to become one of the most complete midfielders in Serie A. In the Giallorossi he has impressed above all with his athletic continuity and ability to recover the ball.
The player is part of the French national team and has been included in the list of players called up for the World Cup with Les Bleus.
In the last two years he has made over 80 overall appearances in the championship and cups, with several goals and assists, but above all with very high figures in tackles won, ball-and-chain progressions and offensive recoveries. He is one of those midfielders who make an impact even without sensational numbers in front of goal.
His definitive explosion came above all under more aggressive tactical management, where he was able to alternate the role of midfielder with that of dynamic midfielder. And it is precisely this flexibility that convinces Chivu: the Frenchman can play both in a three-man midfield and in a more fluid and mobile midfield.
Chi rischia di lasciare l’Inter
The possible arrival of the Frenchman would inevitably open up to an important transfer. The hottest name remains that of Davide Frattesi, who continues to have admirers in Rome and could become the key to the operation.
With Koné, Inter would finally have a player capable of covering huge portions of the pitch, allowing Barella to break free more and giving the defense greater protection in negative transitions.
Come giocherebbe l’Inter di Chivu con Koné
The tactical idea is clear: increase pace and aggression. Chivu wants an Inter that is less static and more ferocious in immediately regaining the ball. Koné would become the physical engine of the team and the perfect replacement for Mkhitaryan.
In the classic 3-5-2 he could act as a left midfielder next to Calhanoglu and Barella, but the real leap would be in the possibility of switching to a two-man midfield in some phases of the match. Right there the Frenchman would make the difference thanks to his ability to steal and cover meters.
The feeling is that Inter are looking for a midfielder who can represent the symbol of the new post-Inzaghi cycle. And Chivu seems to have already chosen the face of his revolution: Manu Koné.