Marcelo Bielsa, for the most part, was used to getting what he wanted at Elland Road. And, fully aware that they had a head coach who had walked away from previous clubs at the drop of a hat after feeling un-supported in the transfer market, when Bielsa asked Leeds United to bring Manu Kone to West Yorkshire in January 2021, Andrea Radrizzani, Victor Orta and co wasted no time in making their play for the highly-rated Toulouse midfielder.
But, according to Corriere dello Sport, it quickly became apparent that Kone was out of reach. Hence some presumably awkward conversations; the Leeds bosses forced to break the news to Bielsa that his top target would not be arriving after all.
The France U21 international completed a £9 million move to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach a couple of days later. And, 18 months on, that very same player has seen his transfer value quadruple in size; Liverpool, Newcastle United and West Ham weighing up big-money bids for a man now valued at £40 million (Sky Sports).
Kone is destined to earn Gladbach a sizeable profit when he overtakes Granit Xhaka as the club’s biggest-ever export.
Leeds United’s one-that-got-away Manu Kone will now cost £40m
West Ham, per BILD, have made Kone their number one transfer target. He has also joined Jude Bellingham, Joao Gomes, Enzo Fernandez and co on Liverpool’s radar; Jurgen Klopp shopping for midfield reinforcements (Sky Sports).
The irony, as far as Leeds United are concerned, is that Kone has blossomed into the sort of all-action, jack-of-all-trades midfielder that would suit Jesse Marsch’s down to the ground. No one in Gladbach’s team averages more tackles per game than Kone’s 1.8 (WhoScored). Or, for that matter, the most dribbles (1.6).
Kone blends the physicality and industry of Tyler Adams with the technique of Marc Roca. Not to mention the drive and skill of Brenden Aaronson. He is, in some ways, all of Leeds’ current midfield trio rolled into one rangy, muscle-bound 6ft 1ins frame.
If Kone does end up completing a big-money move to England, it would be unfair to suggest that Leeds will be left kicking themselves, having failed to snap up one of Europe’s best up-and-coming midfielders two years previously. They did all they could. But Gladbach’s offer of Champions League knock-out stage football is one Leeds were simply unable to match.
Then again, that will not offset the frustration felt at Elland Road if Kone ends up a driving force at the heart of a rival Premier League midfield.
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