Time could be up for Moise Kean to prove himself at Goodison Park after reports emerged claiming Everton have warmed to loaning the troubled striker back his former side Juventus.
What’s the word?
According to Corriere Torino, via Sport Witness, Everton are now open to loaning Kean back to Juventus having backtracked on their stance that the 20-year-old would not be leaving Merseyside this summer unless in a permanent deal.
The Toffees drew the line on Kean’s future at a permanent deal aimed at recouping the club’s losses, having spent an initial £25.1million rising to £27.5m on the Vercelli-born forward who has failed to establish himself at Goodison Park since.
Juventus have been eager to land a reunion for the forward all window but have been clear throughout the market in that Andrea Pirlo’s outfit do not have the assets to satisfy the Blues’ demands at present. Kean, likewise, is understood to be desperate to return to the Allianz Stadium after a troubled debut season in England.
But progress could be on the cards, as the latest word from Italy is that Everton are now open minded to sending Kean back to Turin on a two-year deal providing they receive guarantees of a €25m (£22.6m) fee in the future.
Juventus are not yet thought to have responded to Everton’s offer, although with both the player and club keen to secure a deal, progress will likely come fast approaching Monday’s Deadline Day.
Time to part ways
Kean arrived on Merseyside last summer as a highly-rated prospect but already with a troubled past, having been punished by Italy U21 coach Gigi Di Biagio in April 2019 for missing training sessions ahead of a crunch fixture with Belgium.
That failed to persuade Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands and former head coach Marco Silva that the forward would be an ill-advised addition to the Portuguese’s squad, but issues settling into life at Goodison Park led to suggestions he was being mishandled by the 43-year-old.
Issues, however, remained off the field for Kean and Silva was left in a position where he felt the striker had to be left at home when Everton travelled to Southampton after arriving late for team meetings on multiple occasions.
Even once Silva was sacked and replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, Kean remained a troubled aspect of the Toffees’ first-team and left the Goodison Park outfit “appalled” when images emerged of the 20-year-old hosting a party at his apartment during lockdown in April.
No side willing to pay circa-£25m for Kean this summer may have kept the Italy international in England thus far, but a loan with an obligation to buy must be considered acceptable for a player who causes a magnitude of issues without impressing on the field.
Kean has played a total of 13 minutes, all from the bench, in the Premier League this season and was omitted from the matchday squad when Everton beat West Ham United 4-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
AND in other news, a long-time Everton star has emerged as a transfer option for a Premier League competitor.