Amadou Koné attracts interest from France and Italy

Ivorian midfielder Amadou Koné is attracting interest from clubs in France and Italy after impressing since his move to Saudi Arabia.

The 21 year old defensive midfielder left Stade de Reims for Neom SC a year ago and has quickly become an important figure in the Saudi club’s midfield.

His performances have now brought him back onto the radar of several European clubs, with interest growing over a possible return to the continent.

In France, Olympique Lyonnais and OGC Nice are closely following Koné’s situation. Both Ligue 1 clubs are said to value his work rate and physical strength, while his previous experience in the French league is also viewed positively.

Koné spent time with Reims before moving to Saudi Arabia, giving him knowledge of French football despite his relatively young age.

There is also interest from Italy, where Fiorentina and Atalanta Bergamo have reportedly made enquiries about the midfielder. The two clubs have sought information about his situation as they consider whether a move could be possible.

However, any potential transfer will have to take into account Koné’s current contract with Neom SC.

The Ivorian remains tied to the Saudi club until June 2029, meaning there is no immediate contractual pressure for Neom SC to sell the player.

Koné is currently valued at €7m by Transfermarkt, according to the information provided in the report. His long term contract and valuation could make a return to Europe more complicated.

The midfielder has already been linked with Olympique de Marseille and Hull City, underlining the continued attention around his future.

Despite the growing interest, no decision has been made over his next move.

Koné is understood to be taking his time before deciding what comes next in his career. The Ivorian midfielder wants to consider the different options available to him before making a decision about his future.

For now, his focus remains on his situation at Neom SC, where his performances have helped him attract attention from clubs in two of Europe’s major leagues.

With Lyon, Nice, Fiorentina and Atalanta all reportedly monitoring his situation, Koné’s future could become one to watch as European clubs assess their options in midfield.

The player’s contract with Neom SC until 2029 remains an important factor, but the continued interest from France and Italy shows the attention his performances in Saudi Arabia have generated.