Manu Kone talks intensify as Al Ahli move for ‘missing piece’ in midfield rebuild

Al Ahli are in advanced talks to sign France midfielder Manu Kone from Roma in a move viewed inside the club as the potential final piece in their summer rebuild.

The Jeddah side have worked relatively quietly in the current transfer window, but negotiations for Kone are understood to be at an advanced stage and the deal is being framed as more than just another high-profile addition.

Club officials see the 23-year-old as the specific profile they lacked last season: a central midfielder capable of combining defensive bite with authority on the ball and control of the game’s tempo.

Kone, who shone for France at the 2026 World Cup and was regarded as one of the standout midfielders at the tournament, has built a reputation on his ball-winning ability, speed in transitioning from defence to attack and strong leadership traits.

Al Ahli believe that if they can complete the signing from Roma, their head coach will have one of the most formidable midfields in the Saudi Pro League.

Midfield balance at the heart of Al Ahli’s plan

The plan is for Kone to operate alongside Valentin Atangana at the base of midfield, forming a physically imposing and tactically disciplined screen in front of the defence.

That partnership would allow Armenia international Eduard Spertsyan far greater freedom to play higher up the pitch in his preferred role as the team’s main playmaker.

Coaches felt that imbalance in central areas was a major issue last season, with Al Ahli often short of a midfielder who could both protect the back line and initiate attacks cleanly. The proposed trio of Kone, Atangana and Spertsyan is viewed as the solution that could give the side a level of balance they previously lacked.

If it works as envisaged, controlling the middle third of the pitch would become one of Al Ahli’s primary strengths.

New attacking trident after Mahrez exit

Al Ahli’s summer work has not been limited to midfield. The club have already moved to reinforce their attack by signing Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, who is expected to fill the void left by the departure of Riyad Mahrez.

Trincao is set to form a new-look front three with Brazilian forward Galeno and England striker Ivan Toney, giving Al Ahli a blend of pace, direct running and penalty-box presence.

With Spertsyan operating just behind that trio, the Saudi club believe they will have a wide range of attacking options: breaking lines through the centre, stretching teams on the flanks and posing a significant threat from set-pieces.

‘Key link’ in wider project

Inside the club, the pursuit of Kone is regarded as central to completing a broader technical project rather than simply strengthening one position.

Should Al Ahli finalise the deal, they would head into the new season with a midfield unit capable of dictating the rhythm of matches and an attacking line rich in different types of solutions.

That combination, club figures feel, would make Al Ahli one of the leading contenders for all domestic and international competitions they enter in the coming campaign and give the coach a more complete, better-balanced squad than at any point in recent years.