Moise Kean Transfer Tug-Of-War: Fiorentina Move Fast

Moise Kean transfer negotiations have erupted into a three-way battle as Fiorentina race to fend off Manchester United and big-spending Al-Qadsiah before a €52 million release clause vanishes on 15 July.

Moise Kean transfer saga enters decisive week

The Moise Kean transfer story has bubbled for months, but the pressure dial has been turned to maximum. Fiorentina inserted the €52m clause when they snapped up the Italian forward from Juventus last summer. That clause will disappear at midnight on 15 July, handing La Viola a narrow window to extract full value—or convince the player his future remains in Tuscany.

Fiorentina’s proposal: faith, minutes and a pay rise

Sources close to the club confirm that sporting director Daniele Pradè has tabled a four-year extension worth €3.2 million net per season—almost double Kean’s current salary. Fiorentina’s pitch revolves around three pillars: guaranteed starts in Vincenzo Italiano’s 4-2-3-1, a defined role as long-term talisman of an ambitious project, and a modest but meaningful loyalty bonus should the striker stay past 2026. A senior club insider said, “We can’t match Saudi money, but we can offer Moise the keys to our attack.”

Manchester United lurking with Premier League pull

United scouts watched Kean eight times in Serie A and twice in the Europa Conference League. Erik ten Hag admires the 24-year-old’s pressing and versatility across the front line. While Old Trafford’s summer budget is tight after last year’s £72 million outlay on Rasmus Højlund, the club believe a structured deal—€40m up-front plus add-ons before the deadline—could tempt Fiorentina if an extension stalls. United officials are, however, wary of negotiating power shifting once the clause expires.

Saudi millions threaten Fiorentina’s plans

Al-Qadsiah, flush with Public Investment Fund backing, have offered Kean a staggering €9 million annual wage and a villa in Khobar. The Saudi Pro League side lack United’s global spotlight, yet the tax-free paycheck dwarfs everything currently on Fiorentina’s table. Their sporting director, former Milan legend Paolo Maldini, is driving the chase and hopes the Italian connection will resonate.

Player perspective: ambition over riches?

Friends of Kean insist he remains focused on Europe. After spells at Juventus, Everton and Paris Saint-Germain, he finally feels “at home” in Florence, where regular starts resurrected his Azzurri prospects. Roberto Mancini has privately told the striker that consistent Serie A minutes are essential to regain a national-team berth ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Yet, everyone has a price, and the astronomical Saudi salary complicates matters.

Stat pack: Why Kean is in demand

• 2023-24 Serie A: 31 appearances, 16 goals, 5 assists
• Pressing actions per 90: 20.4 (top 12% among Europe’s U25 forwards)
• Non-penalty xG: 0.42 per 90—higher than Dusan Vlahović’s rookie year at Fiorentina
These numbers illustrate why the Moise Kean transfer debate dominates Italian back pages.

Financial chess: clause clock ticks down

Every stakeholder is playing the countdown. Fiorentina cannot wait beyond 15 July to know whether they must cash in or extend. United may decide to force the issue with an early bid, mindful that a free-negotiation environment later in the summer could inflate the fee. Al-Qadsiah, in contrast, are relaxed; their resources allow them to simply trigger the clause in full if Kean signals approval.

How the transfer could reshape three squads

Fiorentina: Losing Kean without a direct replacement would damage their push for Champions League qualification. Sassuolo’s Andrea Pinamonti and Basel’s Zeki Amdouni are on a provisional shortlist.
Manchester United: Should Kean arrive, Anthony Martial’s exit becomes inevitable, and Ten Hag could rotate Højlund and Kean to reduce the Dane’s workload.
Al-Qadsiah: The Saudi outfit see Kean as a marketable European star to join their rebuilding project after promotion to the Pro League.

Agent’s manoeuvres and personal terms

Kean’s representative, Mino Raiola’s former associate Enzo Raiola, met Fiorentina leadership on Monday and will speak with United this weekend. He has already explored the Middle-East offer on Zoom. The agent’s priority, insiders say, is a competitive sporting plan, but he also wants a 10% sell-on clause for any future move—a sticking point in Fiorentina’s proposal.

Moise Kean transfer timeline: key dates

• 11 July: Raiola due in Manchester for face-to-face talks
• 12 July: Al-Qadsiah expected to submit formal contract draft
• 15 July: €52 million clause expiry at 23:59 CET
• 20 July: Fiorentina US tour kicks off; Italiano wants clarity before departure

Risks of letting the clause lapse

If the clause lapses and Kean refuses to extend, Fiorentina lose leverage and might settle for closer to €35 million in August. Conversely, retaining the striker without a new deal risks a free transfer scenario in 2026. That strategic dilemma fuels owner Rocco Commisso’s urgency.

Historical parallels

Fiorentina have walked this tightrope before with Federico Chiesa, ultimately selling to Juventus under pressure. They are determined not to repeat past mistakes, yet the Moise Kean transfer case includes the added complication of Saudi cash.

Fan sentiment and clubhouse vibes

Curva Fiesole banners stated, “Kean non si tocca” (“Hands off Kean”) last weekend. Teammates Arthur Melo and Nicolás González publicly urged him to stay. In Manchester, supporters debate whether the club should prioritise a centre-back instead. Meanwhile, some Premier League pundits warn that embracing a second young, developing striker could overload Ten Hag’s patience.

What happens next?

Expect a frenetic 96-hour period where every leaked phone call sets social media ablaze. The smart money still favours Fiorentina tying down their man, but if negotiations stall, United or Al-Qadsiah will pounce. Either way, the Moise Kean transfer clock is ticking loudly.

Opinion: A sliding-doors moment for club and player

Fiorentina’s offer may not match Saudi riches, yet it provides the stage Kean needs to evolve from promising talent to Serie A superstar. For United, he represents depth rather than a guaranteed starter, while Al-Qadsiah’s proposal risks relegating a 24-year-old to football’s periphery. If growth and legacy, not just zeros on a bank statement, truly matter, staying in Florence—at least for another season—looks the wiser call. The next week will reveal how much modern football still values sporting ambition over immediate fortune.