Man City eye Manu Kone as potential alternative to Enzo Fernandez

Manchester City are reportedly considering Romanian midfielder Manu Kone as a possible replacement for Argentine Enzo Fernandez, according to the Daily Mail. The new manager, Enzo Maresca, is looking to overhaul the midfield ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. City remain interested in Fernandez, but the club's £120 million valuation has made securing a deal challenging.

Furthermore, their soft deadline for a bid has expired without any formal offers, as the club is unwilling to match Chelsea's demands for the Argentine international. Consequently, Kone, a 25-year-old France international, has emerged as another option on City's radar. The Roma player has spent the last two seasons at the club, playing 63 Serie A matches and netting four goals.

His energy, athleticism, and ability to contribute without the ball make him an attractive prospect for Maresca, particularly in light of the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders. Roma's asking price for Kone is approximately £51 million, which is significantly lower than Fernandez's £120 million valuation. Kone also started four of France's World Cup matches and came on as a substitute during their semi-final defeat to Spain.

Signing Kone could be a shrewder move for City, as a fee of £51 million is roughly half of Chelsea's asking price for Fernandez. While Fernandez is a more experienced creative force, Kone offers a distinct profile with dynamism, defensive contributions, and excellent work rate. This could prove invaluable in a City midfield that has lost the influence of Rodri.