Manchester United are now reportedly unlikely to trigger a £44 million release as Rúben Amorim hunts for a new striker this summer.
Manchester United are planning to overhaul their forward line this summer after a poor 2024/25 season that saw them finish 15th in the Premier League, with a lack of goals proving a major issue throughout the campaign.
Bruno Fernandes finished as the club’s top scorer with 19 goals, while Alejandro Garnacho and Amad both netted 11. Rasmus Højlund chipped in with 10, but no other player managed to hit double figures across all competitions.
United have already secured the £62.5 million signing of Matheus Cunha and remain in negotiations with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo. Talks are said to be progressing as both clubs look to finalise an agreement for the Cameroon international.
The search for a new central striker continues, but two of United’s key targets are no longer in contention. Viktor Gyökeres is nearing a move to Arsenal after agreeing terms on a five-year contract, while Victor Osimhen has opted to return to Galatasaray.
With both players out of the picture, United have shifted their focus to other potential signings to lead the line next season.
United unlikely to trigger Kean release clause
With United keen on a new goalscorer, Fiorentina’s Moise Kean has been strongly linked with the Old Trafford outfit.
Kean has a release clause of just over £44 million that is only active between 1st and 15th July, with multiple other clubs, alongside United, keen on his signature.
However, TBR Football have now reported that Amorim’s side are unlikely to activate his release clause before the deadline passes, even though the club were ‘tempted’ when he was initially offered out to United.
The report further states that Al-Hilal are interested in the Italian, but have also not given up hope of signing Osimhen despite the latter’s transfer agreement with Galatasaray.
Kean does not fit Amorim’s profile
Although Kean’s 25-goal season last campaign has put him back on the map of some major clubs, his profile does not quite seem to fit in with Amorim’s ideal striker.
Read More: David de Gea ‘is pushing Fiorentina’ to sign ex-Manchester United teammate after Ruben Amorim praise
Amorim wants to add as much Premier League experience as possible to his squad this summer, hence the targeting of Cunha and Mbeumo, while the club have also been linked with Douglas Luiz in midfield.
Currently, their primary option appears to be Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who boasts extensive Premier League experience and would likely complement United’s other new recruits well.
However, who they sign up front is heavily dependent on how much the club can raise through sales, with Marcus Rashford, Garnacho, and Antony all set to be sold.
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