Arsenal agree terms with Serie A midfielder

France begin their World Cup campaign with a potentially tricky group stage tie against Senegal on Tuesday evening. 

Didier Deschamps’s side won the competition in 2018 and were beaten by Argentina in the final four years ago in Qatar, and many people believe Les Bleus could once again be triumphant in North America this summer.

France also have Norway and Iraq in their group, and Deschamps’s side will be overwhelming favourites to progress into the knockout stages.

Senegal were – initially at least – crowned African Cup of Nations champions earlier this year, though, and will undoubtedly provide a stern test for their European counterparts.

Ahead of the game, it is being reported that one member of Deschamps’ squad has agreed terms with a Premier League club.

As reported by Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, via TEAMtalk, Arsenal have been in talks with the representatives of France and Roma midfielder Manu Kone and have now agreed personal terms with the player.

Kone could make his World Cup debut on Tuesday when France face Senegal (Photo: Icon Sport/Alamy)

Kone, 25, joined Roma from German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024 and has since established himself as a key player in the Italian capital.

In total he has made more than 80 appearances for the Italian side, and his impressive form last season earned him a place in the France squad for the World Cup this summer.

Roma are understandably reluctant to allow Kone to leave the club and are therefore demanding a fee of £43 million for the midfielder, although the report suggests that the Serie A side would actually accept offers of around £39 million.

Kone’s contract with Roma is set to expire at the end of the 2028/29 season, but the Italian club are likely to receive significant interest in the player during this summer’s transfer window, particularly if he impresses for his country at the World Cup.