Leeds United obliged to sign Weston McKennie after safety and 10 appearances, £30m deal in total
Leeds United will be obliged to make Weston McKennie’s loan deal permanent if certain performance clauses are met in the second half of the season, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Italian news publication has revealed (page two, 29 January) Leeds will pay a £1million loan fee for the 24-year-old American international.
However, if the Whites secure their Premier League survival and McKennie features ten times between now and the end of the season, Leeds will be obliged to buy the midfielder for £30million.
Good business
The structure of the McKennie deal appears to have been well thought out by the Leeds board. Relegation is obviously still a concern for the Yorkshire side, and considerations will have to be made if they do fall back into the Championship.
Signing a player for a big transfer fee on large wages is not the ideal scenario if relegation is a genuine possibility. However, if and when McKennie does complete his move to Elland Road, there’s a strong chance he will play a big part in the Yorkshire side climbing up the table.
Marc Roca and Tyler Adams have been a solid pairing in the first half of the season, but more depth is certainly required and competition isn’t a bad thing. McKennie will fancy his chances of breaking into the starting lineup and forming a partnership with Adams.
The two Americans know each other very well and will be looking to rekindle their international partnership on the club stage.
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