Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos opted against bringing one Manchester United-linked striker to Old Trafford for Ruben Amorim and it looks like it was the right call.
Ruben Amorim is expected to add another striking option to his Manchester United first-team squad before the summer transfer window slams shut in September.
The 40-year-old United manager at one point had been tipped for a reunion with Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who was coached by Amorim at Sporting CP.
However, United’s pursuit of Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres is all but over, with rivals Arsenal expected to land the 27-year-old Sweden international.
Another potential striking target for United this summer was Victor Osimhen, who was loaned out by Napoli to Galatasaray for the entirety of the 2024-25 season.
However, United are now set to miss out on Victor Osimhen and the 26-year-old Nigerian striker is on the verge of signing for Galatasaray on a permanent deal.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesDavid de Gea has now shown why Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ruben Amorim were right with their Man Utd transfer stance
David de Gea has signed off his first season with Fiorentina after the 34-year-old Manchester United legend made his long-awaited return to football last summer.
The former United No 1 left Old Trafford at the end of the 2022-23 campaign under Erik ten Hag and spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season out on the sidelines.
Fiorentina signed David de Gea as a free agent in 2024 and the ex-Red Devils star was able to put his football career back on track after his United exit in 2023.
De Gea arrived at the Serie A club in the same summer transfer window as Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who was signed from Italian side Juventus.
Moise Kean had been linked with United after his impactful debut season at Fiorentina, but De Gea admitted that his teammate “needs to continue” his form.
When asked about his relationship with Kean, De Gea told Cronache di Spogliatoio: “Very good. When I arrived, my Italian was terrible and we spoke in English. Now I’ve improved and I communicate with him more easily.
“He had an excellent season, but now, for me, he needs to have another good year, and then another, and so on.
“One good year isn’t enough; he needs to continue like this and build on what he’s done. He’s put in some very good numbers, but he needs to keep it up and prove he can do it over time.”
David de Gea’s assessment of Fiorentina star Moise Kean tells Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ruben Amorim everything they need to know
Moise Kean netted 25 times and had three assists to his name in 44 matches across all competitions for Fiorentina in his first full season at the Serie A club.
Fiorentina agreed to sign the 25-year-old Italian striker for €13m from Juventus, which could rise to €18m if different add-ons are met for the United-linked Kean.
Kean is under contract until 2029 with Serie A outfit Fiorentina, but the Everton flop did have a release clause that became active for a two-week period in July.
The Italy international’s release clause was live on 1st July and ended after 15th July, with Kean’s price tag set at £45.5m (€52m) during the timeframe.
Kean had his name attached to United around the time that his release clause became active, but the Red Devils never made an official approach for the Italian.
However, De Gea’s position on Kean is vindication enough for Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe that they did not scramble at the first opportunity to sign him this summer.
Ruben Amorim needs a consistent and reliable striker among his ranks at United and the verdict is still out on Kean, despite his one impressive season at Fiorentina.