Man Utd solve €90m problem as Casemiro U-turn decision announced

Robin Bairner

Updated: 22 Oct 2025 07:56 BST
9 min read

Manchester United have Roma midfielder Manu Kone in their sights as a potential replacement for Casemiro, with the France international midfielder potentially available for a bargain fee as the Serie A club faces financial difficulties.

Article continues under the video

Ruben Amorim has a major decision to make in his midfield over the coming months. It was a surprise that Man Utd did not sign in this area in the summer, but Casemiro has enjoyed something of a resurgence in his form.

The Brazil international, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and his form is giving Amorim and the Old Trafford hierarchy cause to consider a shock extension. ESPN has reported this week that if he accepts a “sizeable” pay cut, his time at the club will be prolonged.

Current ETV

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

Casemiro

DM, M (C)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€6M - €8.1M

But United are braced for Casemiro to leave as the potential of a dramatic summer midfield overhaul looms. Both Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte find their futures at the club in doubt.

Kone has been earmarked as a potential replacement, having “come on leaps and bounds” over the course of recent months, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, writing for United In Focus.

The Roma midfielder is an “outside possibility” to sign next summer, but the financial position of the Serie A club makes him a more viable target for United, who have been careful with their spending under Ineos.

Kone sale could save Roma

Gian Paulo Gasperini’s side need to fill a €90 million blackhole to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, and the sale of Kone could go a long way to doing this.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach and Toulouse star was previously linked with a move to Inter Milan this summer in a bid to solve Roma’s difficulties. Arsenal and Liverpool, meanwhile, have considered a move for the 24-year-old, though the Premier League giants appear well stocked in midfield currently.

With an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €43.2 million, Kone would offer a cheap alternative to Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, who has had a €100m price tag put on his head by the Seagulls.

Manu Kone vs Carlos Baleba: Playing Style (2024/25)

Manu Koné

2024/2025 | Serie A (ITA)

Defensive midfield (2050 Minutes played)

Carlos Baleba

2024/2025 | Premier League (ENG)

Defensive midfield (2600 Minutes played)

Certainly, the 24-year-old fits the type of profile that Man Utd need to replace Casemiro in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. He offers a physical upgrade on the Brazilian in that he is very quick, giving him the ability to cover the huge areas of pitch the Portuguese’s tactics demand.

Kone and Casemiro could even be part of the same squad if the Brazilian agrees to reduced terms, though that would surely signal an end to Mainoo’s Man Utd career.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store