Al Ahli close in on Manu Kone as French midfielder seen as ‘missing piece’ in Saudi project

Al Ahli are in advanced talks to sign France midfielder Manu Kone from Roma in a move viewed inside the club as the key step to completing their squad overhaul for the new season.

The Jeddah side have adopted a measured approach in the summer transfer window, but the pursuit of Kone is seen as going beyond a routine addition. Club officials regard the 22-year-old as the player who could finally provide full balance to the team’s midfield structure.

Reports indicate negotiations with Roma over Kone have progressed significantly, with Al Ahli hopeful of securing an agreement that would reshape the heart of their team and give the side a markedly different on‐field identity.

Kone targeted to fix midfield imbalance

Despite boasting a roster packed with high‐profile names, Al Ahli lacked a central midfielder last season capable of combining strong defensive work with authority in possession and reliable build‐up play. Kone is regarded as a specialist in exactly that profile.

The France international is known for his ball‐winning ability, his speed in transitioning from defence to attack, and a leadership presence that has become increasingly evident with the national team. His influence was particularly clear with France at the 2026 World Cup, where he emerged as one of the standout midfielders in the squad.

Should Al Ahli complete the signing, their head coach would be handed one of the most powerful midfield units in the Saudi Pro League, built around Kone’s all‐round qualities.

Midfield redesign to free Spertsyan

The plan inside Al Ahli is for Kone to operate alongside Valentin Atangana at the base of midfield, creating a robust double pivot in front of the defence. That platform is expected to allow Armenia international Eduard Spertsyan to play higher up the pitch in his preferred role as the team’s primary playmaker.

This three‐man combination is seen as potentially providing the control and equilibrium that Al Ahli lacked for much of last season, turning central midfield into one of their main strengths rather than an area of concern.

Trincao recruited to offset Mahrez departure

Al Ahli’s rebuild has not been limited to midfield. The club have already moved to reinforce their attack with the signing of Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, who is being lined up to fill the void left by the departure of Riyad Mahrez.

Trincao is expected to form a powerful front three with Brazilian forward Galeno and England striker Ivan Toney. With Spertsyan positioned just behind them, Al Ahli believe they will have a wide range of attacking options at their disposal.

The coaching staff envisage a frontline capable of threatening through central combinations, wide play on either flank and well‐rehearsed set‐piece routines, all underpinned by a more secure and authoritative midfield.

‘One of the most important pieces’ of the project

Inside the club, there is a belief that if the Kone deal is finalised, Al Ahli will not simply have added another name to an already star‐studded squad. Instead, they feel they will have completed one of the most important components of their long‐term sporting project.

A midfield able to dictate the tempo of matches, combined with an attack rich in variety and individual quality, would, in the eyes of decision‐makers, position Al Ahli as one of the leading contenders for all major competitions in the coming season.

For the coach, the prospect of integrating Kone into a core featuring Atangana, Spertsyan, Trincao, Galeno and Toney promises a more complete and better balanced starting XI than at any previous point in the current project – provided the club can now turn advanced negotiations into a done deal.