Weston McKennie official announcement at Leeds United now expected Monday
Weston McKennie is due to be officially announced as a Leeds United player on Monday after flying in from Italy, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
Amid the threat of late hijacks from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Fulham among others [Times, 29 January], the American midfielder flew into England on Sunday evening (29 January).
A verbal agreement was reached between the Whites and Juventus late on Thursday night, with the medical and contracts still to be signed.
But there appears to be no doubts around the final steps of the move with Sky Sports Italy’s Di Marzio reporting via his website on Sunday: “Monday (aka tomorrow) will be the first day as a Leeds player.
“First he will carry out the medical tests and then he will be able to sign and be made official by the English club.”
Confidence
Andrea Radrizzani’s influence on the clubs’ agreement, and Jesse Marsch’s influence on the player, must have been significant if this deal is wrapped up so strongly despite the presence of the other Premier League teams who were interested.
It would surely be a huge shock now if anything derailed this at the 11th hour given how much confidence there is by those reporting on the deal.
Leeds United are a hot bed of American influence and McKennie looks set to add a significant new element to that, and give the midfield a new look.
Marsch may be minded to switch to three in the middle with the USMNT player and his soon-to-be Elland Road teammate Tyler Adams thriving in such a set up at international level.
Assuming this is done in the time frame now suggested it even leaves the last day or so open for the club to add further if there are any late opportunities.
Even if that isn’t possible it will have been a massive January window by anyone’s standards, except perhaps Chelsea, and in theory has now stocked this team to pull away from the threat of relegation.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites seemingly had a player headed to Elland Road but a Premier League now wants him in the next two days.