Manchester United and Arsenal reportedly made contact to sign Al-Hilal striker Mohamed Kader Meite this summer, as per TEAMtalk.
The 18-year-old started his youth career at CA Paris 14 before spending time with Paris Alesia FC, US Villejuif and Montrouge FC 92. He joined Stade Rennais’ youth system at the age of 14 before making his first-team debut a couple of years ago.
Although Meite featured as a rotational option during the first half of last campaign, he showed glimpses of his qualities, making five goal contributions in six Ligue 1 starts.
Having been impressed by his performances, Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal decided to purchase him in the winter window. But he has mainly played as a rotational option under Simone Inzaghi in recent months.
Now, TEAMtalk claim that Man Utd were interested in signing Meite from Rennes, but he surprisingly decided to move to the Middle East.
However, the youngster has already started thinking about returning to Europe, and intermediaries close to the player tried to find a suitable destination for him this summer.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were offered the chance to sign him, but Al-Hilal refused to let him leave.
Battle
The report state that despite failing to purchase him last time around, Man Utd remain keen on him and maintained contact over this deal during the recently concluded summer window.
The 18-year-old’s existing deal is set to run until 2029; therefore, Al-Hilal aren’t in any rush to sell him, with the player valued at around £15m by Transfermarkt.
Man Utd currently have Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee as specialist striker options. But Michael Carrick has shown reluctance to use Zirkzee; instead, he has deployed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the No.9 position.
On the other hand, after letting Gabriel Jesus join Barcelona on deadline day, Arsenal currently have Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres as striker options.
Meite, standing at 6ft 4in tall, is a talented forward and possesses high potential. Therefore, he might have been a shrewd acquisition for Arsenal or Man Utd with a view to the long-term future had either club purchased him in this…
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