MANCHESTER UNITED TARGET SPEAKS OUT ON FUTURE AHEAD OF RELEASE CLAUSE DEADLINE

Moise Kean had a brilliant last season with Fiorentina (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United target Moise Kean has suggested his immediate future lies with Fiorentina, with Tuesday a pivotal day in his career.

The Italy international was in fine form for Fiorentina last season , scoring 19 Serie A goals and 25 in all competitions.

He joined La Viola last year after a poor run at Juventus, but his career has returned to an upward trajectory in Florence, with only Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui (25) out-scoring him in Serie A.

Unsurprisingly the 25-year-old’s form has attracted attention, with Manchester United thought to be interested in signing Kean this summer.

Interest is particularly high as a release clause in the striker’s contract with Fiorentina means he is available for a fee of €52million (£44.5m) between July 1-15.

It is hardly pocket change, but could prove to be great value in today’s transfer market.

Kean has spoken out on his future ahead of that release clause expiring on Tuesday and it sounds like he is very happy at Fiorentina and not looking to leave.

Speaking at an event to unveil manager Stefano Pioli on his return to the club, Kean said: ‘I’m very motivated to move forward. Fiorentina has given me so much and has always supported me.

‘Now it’s important to return with renewed motivation and give my best for Fiorentina.’

That is not to say that clubs will not attempt a late move for the Italian before his release clause deadline, but the player does not appear to be pushing for a move.

A return to the Premier League now looks unlikely this summer, with Kean having a forgettable spell at Everton from 2019-21.

Moise Kean in the Premier League

Kean signed for Everton from Juventus in August 2019 for an initial £25.1m, before returning to the Turin club two years later.

His stint in England was underwhelming to say the least.

Apps: 32

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

Moise Kean during his Everton stint in 2020 (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United continue to look for a new striker, with their pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo continuing but dragging somewhat.

Two bids have been rejected by the Bees and a third is expected, but the player is reportedly frustrated with how long the process is taking.

The Cameroon international remains keen on the switch to Old Trafford and he is the Red Devils’ number one target, but negotiations have been slow.

- Phil Haigh

AC MILAN SACK BOSS SERGIO CONCEICAO AS ITALIAN GIANTS PART WAY WITH THIRD MANAGER IN 12 MONTHS - LEAVING THE FUTURES OF FOUR ENGLAND STARS UP IN THE AIR

• AC Milan have parted ways with Sergio Conceicao after just six months together

• Four England stars could be on the way out after Milan's latest managerial switch

AC Milan have sacked manager Sergio Conceicao, as per an official club statement, following an under-whelming Serie A campaign.

The Portuguese tactician took over from fellow countryman Paulo Fonseca at the end of December - with the club in eighth place. But after a tumultuous six months, Milan's league position did not budge under Conceicao.

The former Porto boss becomes the third manager to leave the Italian heavyweights in 12 months. 

Despite being Serie A runners-up in 2023-24, former head coach Stefano Pioli departed at the end of the season. He was replaced by Fonseca, who was fired before Conceicao took charge.

During his time with the Rossoneri, Conceicao won 16 of his 30 games - a 53 per cent win rate. He also led the club to their 50th major trophy in its history, winning the Italian Super Cup against local rivals Inter Milan in January.

An official club statement announcing Conceicao's departure read: 'AC Milan and Sergio Conceicao will not continue their journey together next season.

'The Club would like to thank Sergio and his staff for their commitment, professionalism and dedication shown during their time leading the First Team over the past few months.

'The AC Milan family parts with the coach who won the 50th trophy in the Club's history, wishing him the best for the future.'

With Conceicao leaving Milan, England stars Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could follow their manager out the door.

Mail Sport understands Fikayo Tomori could follow his manager out the door, with Tottenham interested in the defender

Also on loan, former Chelsea star Tammy Abraham is expected to return to Roma this summer

Fellow Blues academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek could also leave, as per reports in Italy

Mail Sport reported this week that Tottenham are targeting Tomori, and like him for his pace, mobility and tenacity.

The centre back is seen as a cheaper alternative to their primary target - Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.

Meanwhile, reports in Italy have stated that Loftus-Cheek's future at Milan is up in the air, and has been since last summer.

The former Chelsea midfield left London for Milan in 2023, with his contract running through June 2027. 

Conceicao's exit will also do little to boost any hopes of Kyle Walker remaining at Milan beyond this season. 

Loanee Kyle Walker is not expected to join Milan permanently and is likely to return to Man City

The defender joined the club on loan from Manchester City in January and, although his deal includes an option to buy of just £4.2million, multiple reports have claimed Milan do not want to sign him permanently.

The 35-year-old featured 16 times in all competitions for the club and was included in Thomas Tuchel's inaugural England squad for the Three Lions' World Cup qualifiers in March.

Fellow loanee Tammy Abraham is also expected to call time on his spell with the Rossoneri this summer. 

Reports in Italy have stated the former Chelsea star is expected to return to parent club Roma after scoring just five goals in as many months for Milan.

- YASEEN ZAMAN

CRISTIANO RONALDO MISSES LATE PENALTY AS AL NASSR EXIT KING'S CUP

Getty 

Al Nassr are out of the Saudi King's Cup at the hands of Al Taawoun after Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in second-half stoppage time on Tuesday.

The five-time Ballon D'Or winner has yet to win a major trophy since signing for the club almost two years ago.

The mid-table Saudi Pro League visitors took the lead in the 71st minute of the round-of-16 match at Al Awal Park in Riyadh through Waleed Al-Ahmed.

With the game looking like it was slipping away, Al Nassr were given a penalty late on, but Ronaldo, who has never missed a penalty in 18 attempts since joining the SPL, skied his effort over the bar.

The defeat is the first for Stefano Pioli since the Italian succeeded Luis Castro as head coach in September.

"Technically we performed well but we couldn't win the game," Pioli said. "We feel disappointed to be out of the cup. But we still have two trophies to go for and we will give our best in them."

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo and Al Nassr still have two chances at silverware this season, but are already six points behind leader Al-Hilal after eight games of the Saudi Pro League and have seven points from three games in the group stage of the Asian Champions League.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this recap.

- ESPN News Services

CRISTIANO RONALDO 'DOESN'T CONTROL' CONTROL AL NASSR INSISTS CLUB CEO

Al Nassr CEO Guido Fienga has said Cristiano Ronaldo "doesn't control the club" but stressed the important role the Portugal captain plays in the team.

The comments come following suggestions that Ronaldo holds a lot of influence at the club regarding on and off-field decisions.

On Wednesday, Al Nassr sacked Portuguese coach Luis Castro after just one win in three league games and replaced him with Italian manager Stefano Pioli.

At a club event on Wednesday, Fienga said: "Cristiano Ronaldo is our captain and he is the strongest player in the world not just technically but how he behaves.

"Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't control the club but obviously, being the No. 1 in the world, he gives the direction of where we have to go and which are the targets we have to reach. He is a winner and we ask him to teach us how to win."

Ronaldo, 39, has won just one title, the Arab Club Champions Cup, since joining Al Nassr in December 2022 from Manchester United.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 62 goals for Al Nassr and his thirst for success at the club was evidenced by his tears after their King's Cup final loss to Al Hilal in May saw them end the season trophyless.

"He is a winner and we ask him to teach us how to win," Fienga said of the former Real Madrid star.

"We want to win with him this year and reach the best target that we can. Cristiano is part of the team and we are very happy to have him in our team."

Ronaldo missed Al Nassr's 1-1 draw with Al Shorta in the revamped Asian Champions League on Monday with illness, in what turned out to be Castro's last game in charge.

"Step by step we will improve," Fienga said

"This summer don't forget we invested almost $100 million in new players. I believe we did a good job in order to reinforce the club with some good players that we needed ... we need to work and give stability to the club to work and to produce the value and not destroy the value every six months."

- Adriana Garcia

AC MILAN COACH PIOLI LEAVING AT THE END OF THE SEASON,

AP Photo 

 MILAN, Italy (AP) — AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli is leaving the Italian club at the end of the season after a near five-year stint that included the 2022 Serie A title.

Milan announced Pioli’s departure on Friday, a day before its final league game of the season at home to Salernitana.

Pioli stepping down had been widely expected, with club great Zlatan Ibrahimovic — who has been given a front-office role by Milan's American owners — reportedly already involved in the search for a successor.

The club thanked Pioli for “securing an unforgettable league title and re-establishing AC Milan’s consistent presence in the top European competition.”

“Stefano’s professionalism and human touch have significantly contributed to the growth of the squad, embodying the club’s core values from day one,” Milan said in a statement.

The 2022 league title was Milan's first in 11 years. It will finish this season in second place, behind crosstown rival Inter Milan.

Milan was taken over after its 2022 title by American investment firm RedBird Capital. Pioli's future had been in doubt since February, when RedBird owner Gerry Cardinale and Ibrahimović declined to commit to him when asked about speculation of a coaching change after the season.

Reports in Italy have linked Pioli to taking over Napoli. The 58-year-old coach also previously coached Inter, Fiorentina, Lazio, Bologna, Parma and several other clubs.

Under Pioli, Milan ended a seven-year absence from the Champions League in 2021 and reached the semifinals last season, losing to Inter.

This season, Pioli's team failed to advance from a tough group that included Borussia Dortmund, which plays in the final next week, and Paris Saint-Germain. Milan then switched to the second-tier Europa League and was eliminated by Roma in the quarterfinals.

Inter's runaway Serie A title success has established its supremacy in the city and Italian soccer, despite financial turmoil that saw the club also fall into American ownership this week. Both Milan and Inter had Chinese owners who lost control of the clubs to American investment funds after missing loan repayments.

MILAN FIGHT BACK TO BEAT PROMOTEX CAGLIARI 3-1

Reuters 

English duo Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were on target as AC Milan fought back after falling behind at promoted Cagliari to secure a 3-1 Serie A victory on Wednesday.

Tomori and Loftus-Cheek found the net either side of halftime after a first-half equaliser from Noah Okafor.

Stefano Pioli's side secured their fifth Serie A win of the season that moved them up to 15 points in second place, level with leaders Inter Milan, who host Sassuolo later on Wednesday. Cagliari are bottom of the table with two points.

The visitors dominated much of the first half despite conceding the opener, with Tijani Reijnders narrowly missing with an angled attempt in the opening minutes.

STEFANO PIOLI POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE

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