Liverpool have been warned they will have to make a massive offer for Borussia Monchengladbach to consider selling Manu Kone to them.
Kone has been one of Liverpool’s main midfield targets this summer, although an injury slowed down their pursuit. However, links with the Frenchman have recently picked up some pace again. In theory, he could become their fourth addition to his position after Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.
However, Liverpool’s hopes of signing Kone have suffered a blow after the sporting director of his current club explained how they are planning to fend off interest in him.
“We don’t have to sell him,” Roland Virkus told Bild. “But it was always like this: if there is another immense offer, then we have to think about it.
“But that’s not the plan. Our plan is to keep Kone.
“Kone is a player who has something different, he gives you as a team a better balance in midfield. He’s coming back after the international break and he’s very important to us, a tough and intelligent footballer. We need stability in this position.”
Liverpool have been looking for some sort of stability there too after the position came under serious scrutiny last season. The three signings they have made so far have accounted for the exits of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
They have just over a week left of the summer transfer window to decide if they need a fourth new midfielder of the summer to slot in along with the new arrivals and existing players like Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Curtis Jones.
Liverpool keen on Kone potential
At the age of 22, Kone could be a long-term solution in the position. He has developed well across 60 appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach since joining them from Toulouse in 2021.
Last season was his busiest yet in a top division; only when he was playing in the French second tier for Toulouse did he make more appearances in a single season.
There are only two years remaining on his contract in Germany, though, so his current employers will have to be careful to make sure they sell him for the right price when the time comes.
Borussia Monchengladbach do not have any European football on offer this season, whereas Liverpool could give Kone a platform in the Europa League.
But their hopes of signing him seem to be at a standstill for the time being. Liverpool have been considering a range of other midfielders to put the cherry on top of their cake, so they might be able to find an easier alternative.
