Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone has insisted that he is not paying attention to speculation about his future amid reported interest from the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
Kone has developed into a key player for the German club since joining from Toulouse for around €9m (£7.9m) in January 2021.
The 21-year-old, who is primarily a deep-lying midfielder, has made a total of 54 appearances for Monchengladbach across all competitions, including 24 Bundesliga starts this season.
Kone, who started for France Under-21s in Saturday's 4-0 defeat against England, is under contract at Borussia-Park until the summer of 2025 with the option of a further year.
However, following his rapid rise in Germany, the midfielder is understood to have caught the attention of a number of top European clubs including Man United.
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The Red Devils are believed to be on the lookout for a new centre-midfielder ahead of the 2023-24 campaign and may target Kone as a potential alternative to highly sought-after England star Jude Bellingham.
The potential sale of Bellingham could allegedly see Borussia Dortmund move for Kone this summer, while the likes of PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest.
With around three months until the summer transfer window opens, Kone has insisted that he remains focused on representing Monchengladbach, but has admitted that his representatives are 'proud' to learn of interest from other clubs.
Speaking to Le Parisien, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Kone said: "At the moment, I am in Monchengladbach. I live well with rumours, I don't pay attention to everything that is said. It's more my entourage and my friends who send me the articles.
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"It's a source of pride for them to see my name associated with big clubs, but it doesn't make me hot or cold. I prefer to finish my season quietly. Afterwards, what must happen will happen."
Considering Monchengladbach are currently sit 10th in the Bundesliga table and 15 points behind the top four, the prospect of moving to a club competing in next season's Champions League could appeal to Kone.
The midfielder was born in Paris, but it is thought that he would prefer a move to the Premier League over returning to his native France.
Kone's valuation remains unknown, although Newcastle are understood to have seen €35m (£30.8m) bid turned down by Monchengladbach last summer.
Oliver Thomas
