Weston McKennie to leave Leeds United at end of season, will join Brighton in £21.75m permanent deal
Weston McKennie is set to join Brighton in a £21.75m deal from Juventus this summer after Leeds opted against making his loan move permanent.
The Whites signed the USA international on loan with an option to buy during the January window, but he has so far failed to live up to expectations at Elland Road.
With Leeds battling relegation and Jesse Marsch no longer at the club, the team have opted against triggering the buy option in his deal and Roberto De Zerbi has earmarked him as a replacement for Moises Caicedo according to Calciomercato (17 May).
An agreement is expected to be found for around €25m (£21.75m) and the player is excited about the move to the Seagulls.
Good riddance
McKennie came to the club with a big reputation having played at the World Cup for his country and having represented Juventus a number of times.
But his lack of athleticism has cost him in this league and without Tyler Adams to hold his hand he has struggled for form, which has contributed to our lowly league position.
Some reports at the time of his signing suggested that his permanent arrival at Elland Road was an obligation if the club stayed in the Premier League but it now seems as though that wasn’t the case.
Fans certainly won’t be missing McKennie next season regardless of how this ends up, especially considering the run-ins he and his friends have had with the crowd at times.
It’s a good decision not to splash a huge amount of cash on bringing him in permanently when he’s struggled to perform, and that money can be put to better use to bolster the squad depending on what division we find ourselves in.
In other Leeds news, one star could earn a rare start v West Ham after what Big Sam saw this week.