Birmingham City and Middlesbrough have ‘done work’ on Richard Kone as Wycombe plot record-breaking offer.
EFL Analysis understands that Birmingham City and Middlesbrough have conducted research on Richard Kone, as Wycombe Wanderers become keen to keep him.
Wycombe Wanderers’ 2024/25 season ended in heartache when they were defeated in the League One play-off semi-finals by Charlton Athletic. Wycombe were in a fierce struggle with Wrexham for a position in the top two, but once Matt Bloomfield left for Luton Town in January, the Chairboys’ automatic promotion ambitions faded. Worryingly, missing out on promotion through the play-offs could have a larger impact on their summer plans, with striker Richard Kone expected to leave Adams Park. Kone was voted League One Player of the Year after scoring 18 goals in 41 games, and he is currently being keenly followed by various clubs.
Wycombe Wanderers prepare record-breaking offer for Richard Kone
In March, EFL Analysis stated that up to ten clubs were interested in Kone after being pleased by his goalscoring exploits in the third tier. Unfortunately for Wycombe, interest in the 21-year-old has increased as the summer transfer market opens again on June 16. According to our Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that Wycombe are willing to make Kone the highest-paid player in club history in order to keep him long-term. The Ivory Coast striker has only 12 months left on his contract, and we understand Birmingham City and Middlesbrough have ‘done work’ on him.
We can also confirm that Burnley ‘likes him’, while relegated Southampton and Ipswich Town have ‘studied him attentively’ in the last six months ahead of their return to the EFL.
Kone’s main motivation behind leaving Wycombe
Kone’s journey from ninth-tier English football with Athletic Newham to League One stardom with Wycombe is incredible, and the next chapter is just beginning. Although the Chairboys are willing to pay him club-record salary to maintain him, it appears unlikely that Kone will be given a chance at the next level. The clinical centre-forward received his first call-up to the Ivory Coast under-23s in May, and with a World Cup year approaching, Bailey believes Kone’s transition to a higher level and performance could result in a spot in the senior team. The potential to make a World Cup squad in 2026 may eventually drive the youngster’s ambition to join a Championship or Premier League club this summer, leaving Wycombe to say goodbye to their incredible striker.
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