Leeds United transfer news: talkSPORT’s Alex Crook shares scornful update on Weston McKennie to Brighton move
The prospect of Leeds United midfielder signing for Brighton at the end of the season is ridiculous according to Alex Crook, as the journalist poured cold water over the notion.
Calcio Mercato Web had reported on Wednesday (17 May) that Roberto De Zerbi was lining the on-loan Juventus midfielder up as a replacement for Moises Caicedo who could be making a big-money exit this summer.
The report suggested the American was in line for a €25million [£21.7million] move to the Amex at the conclusion of his time at Elland Road as he will not be kept on by the Whites, but Crook has dismissed those chances.
Taking to his Twitter account on Thursday morning (18 May) the talkSPORT reporter wrote: “Whoever thinks Brighton would sign McKennie is having a Weston [mare].”
Logical
With Brighton and De Zerbi flying high with a reputation for identifying relatively unknown talents and deploying them to great effect on the south coast, signing the US international after a difficult half-season with Leeds United made little sense.
You can never truly rule anything out in the transfer market but this one would be a huge surprise, after his January arrival and encouraging start in West Yorkshire gave way to looking lost in a two-man midfield under Javi Gracia.
Finally given the benefit of his preferred three in the middle under Sam Allardyce the 24-year-old has looked improved, but the chances of Leeds wanting to shell out over £30million to keep him if they stay up seems remote.
In that context the club could do with someone coming in to take him off Juventus’ hands, with the Italians wanting to move him on.
The exact format of the agreement between the Old Lady and the Whites has been subject of some debate, with the avoidance of relegation required for a permanent move to be on the table.
But past that, whether it is an option, an obligation, or a hand-shake promise to do so is unclear amid competing claims, and leaves open the prospect of another messy Jean-Kevin Augustin situation.
The sacking of Jesse Marsch a week after he arrived, losing his international teammate Tyler Adams to long-term injury soon after, and the general chaos at Elland Road since he arrived haven’t helped him adapt, but just as he won’t have proven to the Whites he would be a sound investment of a hefty fee he surely won’t have convinced Brighton.
In other Leeds United news, the club could launch legal action against the Premier League amid widespread upset over their management of a tricky situation.