Leeds United are reportedly locked in talks with Juventus over the possibility of a winter move for American midfielder Weston McKennie, who is open to a move to Elland Road.
According to Daily Mail, Leeds United have contacted Juventus over a potential transfer for energetic midfielder Weston McKennie this month.
The Whites’ faithful are witnessing a full-fledged American revolution at Elland Road. A significant stake in the club is owned by 49ers Enterprises, who have links with San Francisco’s NFL team and are continuing to edge their way closer to a majority stake in Leeds.
Jesse Marsch currently holds the position of head coach at Leeds, in addition to the two first-team players at the American manager’s disposal. Of course, Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson arrived last summer. Leeds are now being linked with a bid to add another American to their midfield roster.
They have made the first contacts for McKennie. In fact, it sounds as though the Whites are closing in on signing the 24-year-old, with negotiations between the two clubs rapidly gaining momentum. McKennie has given his stamp of approval to a move to Yorkshire and has already accepted the Whites’ contract proposal, according to well-known Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
McKennie has had a difficult time since making his Juventus stay permanent after impressing on loan from Schalke 04. But he has certainly shown glimpses of his potential and tremendous versatility with the Serie A giants and has been a decent utility player for Juventus over the past two and a half years, making just four games shy of 100 for Juventus and having a hand in 17 goals.
The American is surplus to requirements at Juventus following the emergence of Fabio Miretti and Nicolo Fagioli, although he is currently making appearances as a useful makeshift right wing-back in the absence of Juan Cuadrado and Mattia De Sciglio. Nevertheless, Juventus are open to selling the midfielder in the ongoing transfer window in the wake of their ongoing financial turmoil.
His impressive performances for the US National Team at the World Cup have caught the attention of the likes of Aston Villa and Bournemouth in the last few days. However, he had earlier rejected advances from the Premier League duo as he intends to continue his career at an elite outfit.
Premier League leaders Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in McKennie, making the Leeds choice a bit more surprising. The Gunners are undoubtedly a more appealing option than the Whites. But one can understand why McKennie would be drawn to a club like Leeds, despite the fact that they are only one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
McKennie would feel at home working under an American coach in Marsch and with American teammates Aaronson and Adams, which would help him settle in and hit the ground running at Elland Road. The Premier League seems to be his most likely next destination. But it will be interesting to see whether Leeds can get a deal over the line or if Arsenal perform a late hijack to scoop up the 24-year-old USMNT international under the noses of Leeds United.
