It is no secret that Manchester United are attempting to sign a proven center forward during the summer window, but it would take a lot of knock-backs and missed targets for Ruben Amorim to end up with Kean as the team’s new No. 9.
Having already missed out on Liam Delap, who completed a £30m transfer from Ipswich to Chelsea earlier this month after rejecting a move to Old Trafford, United are assessing their options and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike are both under consideration. As it stands, the cost of a deal for either Gyokeres or Ekitike would be too high for United, who are continuing to focus on completing a move for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
But while United are ready to consider a variety of targets, Kean’s failure to make a mark at Everton is just one of the reasons that the Italy international would be way down the club’s shortlist. The 25-year-old managed just four goals in 39 appearances during his four-year stint at Goodison Park, which was interrupted by loan spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
After 22 goals in 123 appearances for Juve, he has finally found form and consistency with Fiorentina, scoring 25 goals in 44 appearances last season, but his record in Serie A is unlikely to have an impact on United’s scouting team. After seeing both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggle for goals since leaving Atalanta and Bologna respectively for United over the past two summers, the club hierarchy will be reluctant to return to Italy for a striker due to concerns over the strength of competition in the once-powerful Italian top flight.
It is likely that United’s name is merely being used to put pressure on Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah to formalize their interest in the player.
OTHER RUMORS – Barcelona are closing on the signing of Sweden U21 winger Roony Bardghji , 19, from FC Copenhagen. (Fabrizio Romano )
– Barcelona recently rejected a proposal from Chelsea, which would have seen France forward Christopher Nkunku move to Camp Nou in a swap deal for Fermin Lopez. (Mundo Deportivo )
– Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola has been linked with a host of clubs, but the European champions will not let him leave. (Fabrizio Romano )
– Aston Villa, Eintracht Frankfurt, Napoli and Inter Milan, as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia, are keeping tabs on Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in case he becomes available. (TBR )
– Wrexham want to sign ex-Rangers forward Tom Lawrence , 31, after he was released at the end of his contract, but face competition from Stockport County. (Sky Sports )
– Al Hilal are pushing to finalize a deal for AC Milan left-back Theo Hernández . A final decision is expected from the France international very soon, with direct talks having already taken place. Hernández is under contract at Milan until June 2026, meaning the club are keen to avoid losing him on a free transfer in a year’s time. (Fabrizio Romano )
– AC Milan are ready to offer a €10m fee for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka. The two clubs are currently in “tough talks” over the transfer, as Leverkusen ideally want at least €15m plus add-ons. (Goal )
– Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers have opened talks with Chelsea goalkeeper Luke Campbell . The 19-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of this month, meaning a host of clubs have discussed the idea of signing him on a free. (Mirror )
– Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed his club are interested in signing Parma striker Ange Yoan Bonny for around €25m this summer. (Sky Italia )
– Benfica are in talks with Botafogo to sign Argentine attacking midfielder Thiago Almada , who spent last six months on loan at Lyon and has a transfer valuation of €40m. (A Bola ).
– Como are looking to sign Manchester United winger Antony after Spain forward Alvaro Morata turned down a move to the Serie A minnows. Morata, 32, is on loan at Turkish champions Galatasaray from AC Milan until January 2026 but wants to play in the Champions League next season. (Il Giorno )
– Atalanta are in advanced talks to sign Southampton forward Kamaldeen Sulemana , 23, on a permanent transfer for a fee of around €18m. New Atalanta coach Ivan Juric knows the Ghana international well having coached him at Southampton earlier this year. (Il Giorno )
