Ok well I would urge you to buy something he can use properly off road but commit to adding intermediate tyres for him while he uses it on roads/cycle paths.
This will maximise the use of the bike for a longer period and make it tonnes better ride wise for him in the first period when he’s...
I'm going to throw some spanners in the works here but crucial question is what does he want it for? Trail riding or downhill or general all round? Once that decision has been made he's likely to want to choose between full sus or hardtail.
At that price IMO his best option is clearly...