Everton are set to finalise the signing of Moise Kean from Juventus - but things could have been very different for the teenager.
The 19-year-old is expected to undergo a medical on Merseyside on Friday ahead of his £29m switch to Goodison Park.
He reportedly turned down Arsenal amid fears over his playing time with Marco Silva assuring him he will be a regular fixture at Everton .
But Kean could have been turning out for another team in the Premier League, his father has confirmed.
"I did stop his transfer at the time, his mother wanted to send him to Manchester United ," Biorou Jean Kean told Omnisport.
"I said no because I wanted him to stay at Juventus and keep learning. He was not mature enough yet.
"To send a young boy abroad aged just 14-15 years old didn't convince me at that time."
Everton have pipped a number of clubs to land Kean and his father is sure he will hit the ground running at Goodison Park.
"I completely trust my son, he will make a big impact in English football with his new team," Kean said.
"He is someone who brings joy wherever he plays. He will make our family, Italy and Ivory Coast proud."
Everton also remain in talks with Mainz over a deal for £27m defensive midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin.
Marco Silva also wants to add a central defender and right back before the window closes and has not given up on signing Chelsea's Kurt Zouma.
