Liverpool are reportedly looking at the possibility of signing USMNT star and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie in the January transfer window on a loan deal.
Liverpool are weighing up the prospect of signing Juventus midfielder and USMNT World Cup star Weston McKennie on a loan deal in January. That’s according to The Mail, who have claimed that while the Reds’ “priority is to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer,” Jurgen Klopp and co. “remain open to loan deals” mid-season.
McKennie joined Juventus in the summer of 2020, initially on a loan deal, before making his stay permanent for a €20.5 million fee the following summer. Since then, the American has blown hot and cold throughout his tenure, contributing 13 goals and four assists in 91 games for the Bianconeri.
The USA international has failed to establish himself as a regular starter for Massimiliano Allegri this season and is expected to leave Turin in the coming months. A string of impressive performances at the World Cup has put McKennie firmly in the shop window, with the ex-Schalke player playing all four of the USA’s games on their way to the round of 16, where they crashed out against the Netherlands.
He was part of the midfield three alongside Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah that dominated against England, playing a pivotal role in earning the USMNT a point in the game.
The 24-year-old’s current contract at the Allianz Stadium runs until the 2025, although he is said to have plenty of admirers in the Premier League, particularly Tottenham Hotspur, who have already opened talks to try and sign him in the January transfer window. Now, Liverpool have joined the ever-growing list of clubs in the race for the wantaway Juventus midfielder.
The Reds’ midfield has been a source of concern this season, with injuries sustained by key players and a resulting lack of depth considered a big problem for Jurgen Klopp’s massively underperforming side.
Naby Keita has not featured all season through injury and will be out of contract at the end of the season, along with other midfield outcasts like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.
Juventus loanee, Arthur, meanwhile, has done nothing to suggest Klopp has been impressed and would want to retain him beyond his loan term.
Jude Bellingham is the clear No. 1 priority target for Klopp & Co., as he sparkled with some spectacular displays at Qatar 2022. There have been links to two additional World Cup stars, including the Young Player of the Tournament, Enzo Fernandez, and Moroccan midfield star Sofyan Ambrabat.
However, all three are likely to be available at the end of the season. Thus, Juventus midfielder McKennie could be targeted by Liverpool as a potential stop-gap solution. And if the USMNT star impresses, they can always include an option to buy.
After all, the Reds will require more than one midfield reinforcement in the future, with so many of the midfielders from the old guard either ageing out or nearing free agency.
The obvious issue here is if Liverpool can recruit another Juventus loanee. And only time will tell, whether the Italian club would be open to loaning out their prized asset than selling on a cut-price to some other club.
