Manchester United have discussed including Marcus Rashford in negotiations with Roma over a move for France midfielder Manu Kone, according to reports in Italy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport says United are among the leading contenders to sign Kone, whose performances for France at the 2026 World Cup have put him on the radar of several major European clubs.
Roma are understood to value Kone at around €60m, a figure the Serie A side are currently demanding to sanction his departure. United are reported to be hesitant about paying that full amount and have been looking at ways to reduce the overall cost of any transfer.
One idea raised during ongoing talks is for Rashford to be used as part of a potential deal, with his inclusion helping to bring down the cash fee required for Kone.
However, the same report stresses that any move involving the England forward would be highly complicated, primarily because of his salary package at Old Trafford.
Rashford is said to earn a net annual wage of about €10m, with additional bonuses that could reach a further €2.5m. Those terms would make him the highest-paid player in Serie A by a significant margin, creating a major financial hurdle for Roma.
Loan preference and wage burden
Roma are reported to favour an initial loan for Rashford rather than a permanent transfer, reflecting both the scale of his contract and the club’s financial constraints.
Under that scenario, Manchester United would likely be asked to continue paying a substantial portion of Rashford’s wages for the duration of any loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico.
At this stage, such an arrangement is described as unlikely, with United not currently inclined to shoulder a large share of the forward’s salary while he plays elsewhere.
The complexities around Rashford’s remuneration, coupled with Roma’s preference for a temporary deal, mean that the prospect of a direct part-exchange involving Kone and Rashford remains uncertain.
Roma’s financial considerations
Roma’s willingness to listen to offers for Kone this summer is closely tied to their financial planning.
The club are weighing up a sale of the midfielder in order to generate a significant transfer fee that would help them remain compliant with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Kone’s World Cup displays have strengthened Roma’s position to demand a high fee, and the Italian side are keen to maximise any income from his departure.
For Manchester United, that stance has left them exploring alternatives to a straightforward €60m purchase, prompting the conversations in which Rashford’s name has been mentioned.
Talks between the clubs are ongoing, but any breakthrough is likely to depend on whether a compromise can be reached on both the valuation of Kone and the structure of Rashford’s salary if he is to be part of the agreement.
