Manchester United are in constant contact with Moise Kean as the Fiorentina striker weighs up a blockbuster proposal from Saudi Arabia and interest from a Premier League rival, according to a report from Italy.
Kean, 25, enjoyed the best campaign of his career season for La Viola, scoring 23 goals and providing three assists in all competitions.
The Italy international was identified by the Red Devils as a potential target due to a favourable release clause, worth £44 million, which is active from July 1 to July 15.
There were other options on United’s list heading into the summer window, including Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres, and Hugo Ekitike, but these pursuits have, so far, proved unsuccessful.
Delap was the first-choice target at Old Trafford but rejected the Reds’ interest in favour of a switch to Chelsea.
Head coach Ruben Amorim is believed be advocating a move for Gyokeres – the coach’s former protégé at Sporting CP – but the 27-year-old Swede is prioritising a Champions League club.
Eintracht Frankfurt star Ekitike has an £85 million release clause and is being keenly tracked by Liverpool with the France U-21 international offering a different profile of forward than Amorim prefers.
The interest in Kean is, therefore, understandable with the 25-year-old striker possessing many of the traits the Portuguese coach wants from his frontman, as well as presenting a less demanding transfer to complete.
Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A last season meaning they will only play in the Europa League next season, not the Champions League.
Furthermore, Kean’s wages – believed to be worth £52,000 a week – offers a significantly cheaper alternative to someone like Gyokeres, buttressed by the Italian’s lower release clause.
However, Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah are also in the hunt for Kean, posing a serious rival for United to compete with. They are willing to trigger the £44 million clause and offer the forward a salary worth “eight times higher than the current one,” according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
The outlet also reveals Arsenal registered interest in Kean “several weeks ago” but the 25-year-old does not appear to be a priority at the Emirates at present.
The report states United are “constantly asking for information and have been following the player for months” as the race to secure his signature heats up.
With Kean’s release clause set to become active next week, Al-Qadsiah will be free to trigger it and formalise their offer to the 25-year-old. But United increasingly look ready to do the same to ensure they are not left in the dust for another key attacking target this summer.
Feature image Gabriele Maltinti via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
