Ismael Kone has a €35m release clause as Inter, Milan and Juventus pursue Sassuolo midfielder
Quick summary
Football Italia reports that Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Kone has a €35 million release clause valid until the end of July. Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus are among the clubs interested, while Sassuolo have acknowledged transfer interest.
Full article
Attributed to Football ItaliaIsmael Kone has a €35 million release clause in his Sassuolo contract that is valid until the end of July, with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus all understood to be among the clubs interested in signing one of Serie A’s standout performers this season.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, via TuttoMercatoWeb , contacts between the parties are expected before the start of the World Cup, which Koné will feature in as a key member of the Canada squad.
Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali has also addressed the situation publicly. “I haven’t spoken with Inter or Milan about Koné, but it’s also true that we have had some requests from foreign clubs,” he said. “It’s possible that an Inter-Milan derby could emerge. We need to find the best situation for him, but at the same time for us too.”
PISA, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Ismael Kone’ of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Arena Garibaldi on January 31, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Sassuolo open to Kone sale as Serie A giants circle ahead of World Cup Milan sporting director Igli Tare has already publicly confirmed his club’s interest, and with the release clause set at a fixed figure, the race is likely to come down to the player’s preference rather than a negotiation over fee.
Inter and Juventus have also been linked with the Sassuolo man, in what promises to be a difficult battle for his signature.
As Carnevali noted, there is also interest from abroad in the Canadian, meaning Italian clubs will want to act fast to avoid missing out.
Koné will head into the summer with considerable leverage, having established himself as one of the most dynamic midfielders in Serie A this season.
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What happened
Ismael Kone’s Sassuolo contract includes a €35 million release clause that can be triggered until the end of July. According to Fabrizio Romano, contacts are expected before the World Cup, where Kone is due to feature for Canada. Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali said he has not spoken directly with Inter or Milan but confirmed there have been requests, including from abroad. With the fee fixed, the transfer battle may depend more on timing and the player’s preference than on negotiations over price.
Chance analysis
This matters because Kone is described as one of Sassuolo’s standout Serie A midfielders, so a summer move could materially weaken Sassuolo’s midfield balance. For Inter, Milan or Juventus, landing him would strengthen depth and dynamism in a key central area. Until a deal progresses, the immediate effect is more medium-term squad uncertainty than short-term match impact.
The likely effect is increased transfer uncertainty around Sassuolo and a potential midfield boost for whichever top club signs Kone.
Treat this as a credible transfer-market signal that raises summer uncertainty around Sassuolo’s midfield and slightly boosts upgrade potential for the main suitors.