Report: Leeds look off to pull off move for 39-goal Vardy-esque predator; face one big hurdle

Leeds United‘s proposed move for Juventus striker Moise Kean won’t be straightforward, according to French outlet Jeunes Footeux. 

Italian publication Calciomercato report that the Whites, along with Premier League rivals Newcastle, are lining up a swoop for the 22-year-old, for whom the two clubs are apparently winning to pay up to €20m (£17m).

Juventus, who also have Dusan Vlahovic and Kaio Jorge at their disposal, have decided that the Italy international isn’t part of their plans for the 2022/23 campaign.

Jeunes Footeux corroborate Calciomercato’s claim, adding that Leeds and Newcastle front a group of ‘several’ Premier League clubs who are in the running for Kean.

However, they warn that it will not be an ‘easy’ deal to complete because Juventus will first have to exercise their €28m (£23.7m) option to buy Kean.

The Serie A club only signed him from Everton last summer on an initial two-year deal, and Leeds’ reluctance to shell out more than £17m could also be a ‘problem’.

Kean only scored five Serie A goals in 32 appearances for the Bianconeri last season, but while that seems underwhelming on surface level, it must be put into context.

His average of 0.43 non-penalty goals per 90 actually ranks him in the 70th percentile among all centre-forwards in the big five European leagues (via FBRef).

Kean, who also places in the 84th percentile for dribbles completed, is similar in profile to Gianluca Scamacca, Jamie Vardy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to FBRef‘s similar players model.

He may only have netted four times in 39 outings at Everton, but with 39 senior career goals already at the age of 22, perhaps Marsch believes that the Italian deserves another shot at proving himself in the Premier League.

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