Juventus make it clear to Leeds United what they want for Weston McKennie
Juventus are happy to accept an initial loan offer for midfielder Weston McKennie and they have made that clear to Leeds United, according to 90min.
The Whites are “confident” they will strike a deal to sign the 24-year-old on loan. They proposed a loan move for the US midfielder due to financial restraints after the Whites signed Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim on a club-record deal this month.
The Serie A giants have no problem offloading Mckennie on loan. They want Leeds to agree to an obligation to sign the player permanently, but the Whites favour an “option” to sign him instead.
McKennie has already given his word to Leeds, and 90min adds that he has “agreed” to join Jesse Marsch at Elland Road. The final deal has not been reached yet, but the two clubs will continue talks on Saturday (28 January) to reach an agreement [The Athletic].
Masterstroke.
It will be a transfer masterstroke from Orta if Leeds can sign McKennie on loan this month. The Whites needed to sign a midfielder in January after Mateusz Klich had left the club to join DC United in the MLS.
They have been linked with Moroccan international Azzedine Ounahi who impressed heavily in the World Cup. Despite Leeds scouting him heavily, the Whites weren’t prepared to meet the asking price, and they moved on to McKennie instead.
Juve value McKennie in excess of £20 million [The Atheltic], but a structured deal appeals to both clubs.
If McKennie impresses under Marsch, which many think he will, Leeds will have no problem signing him next summer. However, if Leeds perform miserably and Marsch loses his job (a hypothetical situation), the club may not be willing to sign the US international permanently.
Such type of deal makes it a win-win situation for Leeds, and that’s why it will be an outstanding piece of business for the club if it goes through.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites appear to be on the cusp of another January signing as a player’s agent jets into the United Kingdom to conduct final transfer talks.