Juventus departure seems certain for Weston McKennie as Leeds United work to close deal in key Friday talks
Weston McKennie now seems “certain” to leave Juventus as talks reach a “key day” with Leeds United over a move, la Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
The Whites are pushing to get a deal done for the USMNT midfielder having already accepted personal terms [Fabrizio Romano, 25 January] with other teams interested in the player, with CBS reporter Ben Jacobs calling him their “top priority”.
Arsenal have been linked to the 24-year-old but according to la Gazzetta he has turned down “less prestigious clubs” in England, including Bournemouth, because he believes Leeds United is the “right club for him”.
The American influence at Elland Road appears to be instructive in McKennie’s interest in the move, and now the clubs are attempting to work on a formula to reach Juve’s asking price of €35million [£30.7million].
Leeds would prefer to pay a small amount up front and a larger amount in bonuses after achievements and appearances levels have been reached.
As that continues, he report states: “[They] are still working to close, in search of the perfect joint. McKennie’s departure from Juve now seems certain.”
Almost done
It would be incredibly disappointing for the Whites to miss out on this one now, with the player himself convinced and the Serie A side needing to let him go.
In their predicament the Old Lady need cash, but they must also know that it is a buyer’s market when everybody knows they have to sell players after their hefty points deduction.
Everything points to it being Leeds United’s deal to get done, but the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Arnaut Danjuma have proven that nothing is certain until contracts are signed and registered this month, after their expected arrivals at Arsenal and Everton respectively became Chelsea and Tottenham.
Tyler Adams’ presence is of course relevant, but he can’t stop Arsenal coming in for a bigger offer, especially when they have reportedly bid £60million for Moises Caicedo [Fabrizio Romano, 27 January] so clearly have money to spend on a midfielder.
So it would absolutely be preferable to get this tied up before the desperation around the football world reaches its peak on deadline day, since at that point nothing is off the table.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites fear an 11th hour hijack as they reach broad consensus on a late transfer.