Leeds WIN race to sign Weston McKennie, beating interest from Nottingham Forest and Fulham
Leeds WIN the race to sign Weston McKennie, beating out late interest from Nottingham Forest and Fulham… with the US international midfielder set to join on loan with a £30m buy option
- Leeds have been eyeing a deal for Juventus’ American midfielder Weston McKennie.
- But they faced late competition for him from Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
- They have beaten out rival interests to agree an initial loan with a £30m purchase option.
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Leeds United edged out late competition from Nottingham Forest and Fulham to agree a deal for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.
After positive talks in the last 24 hours, Leeds have agreed a loan with an option to pay £30m for the US international.
The deal is another big statement of intent from Leeds to support manager Jesse Marsch after signing Georginio Ritter earlier in the £35.5m window from Hoffenheim.
Leeds United have edged out late competition to agree a deal for Weston McKennie from Juventus
Juventus made McKennie available for loan with an option to buy earlier this month, sparking interest from Leeds.
Sportsmail previously reported that the US international has always wanted to play in the Premier League and sees Leeds as a very exciting opportunity to live out that dream.
He has played a total of 70 games for Juventus scoring nine goals after joining from German side Schalke in 2020.
His overhead kick against Barcelona in the Champions League was one of the best for the Italian outfit, and he scored many more important goals in Serie A, which has seen Juventus qualify for the Champions League in the past two years.
The deal is another big statement from Leeds to support manager Jesse Marsch.
McKennie has played 15 league games this season, 21 in all competitions, but he is considered ‘the most expendable’ of Max Allegri’s squad, despite his versatility.
He also started every game for the USA at the World Cup in Qatar, as they were knocked out in the round of 16 by the Netherlands.
McKennie’s strong physique will be of great benefit to Leeds, but he is also versatile and looks poised to play a key role in their Premier League relegation battle, with Marsch’s side just one point out of the relegation zone. in position 15.
The American midfielder has made 15 appearances for Juventus in the Italian top flight
McKennie’s move comes after striker Georginio Ritter signed for £35.5m earlier this month.
He is a midfielder who can play as a right back or as a holding midfielder in front of the back line.
Capped 41 times for the USA, he can make clever plays behind the defense to the Yorkshire side’s benefit. He can also play as a center forward, although his technical ability was not considered as good as other players in Juve’s squad.
McKennie was also being monitored by Arsenal, but Gunners supporters were less than impressed with the midfielder’s possible arrival, prompting his father, John, to hit back at ‘couch pundits’ on Twitter.
Leeds return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest next Sunday in a decisive game.
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