Behind the scenes of Kone controversy, Inter interest, and Friedkin decisions | OneFootball

Of course Inter are interested in Manu Koné, but that doesn’t mean in-depth negotiations were in progress, and some of the reporting enormously irritated the Friedkin family.

Let’s just get back to the basics on this whole story with some questions and answers.

Are Inter interested in Manu Koné? Of course they are, that is not exactly news. But that doesn’t mean we are dealing with direct negotiations, despite the narration to the contrary.

Here is where the attention hunters have to calm down, because not all talks are played out in the media.

Roma took a stand on Koné

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Manu Kone of AS Roma during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

There is another important behind the scenes situation to explain, which is that the Friedkin family who own Roma were enormously irritated by the social media reaction to the potential sale of the midfielder.

They were even more annoyed by the suggestion that the France international’s exit was indispensable to then afford the two attacking wingers.

The truth is that Roma were pushing for Jadon Sancho and Leon Bailey long before Inter made that approach for Koné.

The club owners were put off by the way the whole thing was being interpreted, so as long as they have the final word, the doors will remain closed.