Andrea Radrizzani unlocks Leeds United deal to sign Juventus star Weston McKennie – Fabrizio Romano
Andrea Radrizzani has “unlocked the deal” with Juventus for Leeds United to sign Weston McKennie, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Writing via the CaughtOffside Substack on Sunday morning (29 January), Guardian journalist Romano reported that Leeds will pay a £1million (€1.2m) loan fee for McKennie, 24, and then have an option to buy him permanently in the summer for £28.9million (€33m) plus add-ons.
It is understood that Leeds chairman Radrizzani, who’s a Juventus fan, made the deal happen late on Saturday night (28 January) with McKennie already agreeing personal terms with the Yorkshire club.
Romano adds that the USA international is now due to travel to England to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours.
“Weston McKennie to Leeds, here we go,” said Romano.
“Understand Leeds will pay €1.2m loan fee — deal will include buy option clause for €33m plus add ons.
“Leeds president Radrizzani unlocked the deal with Juventus in the night.
“McKennie has agreed personal terms with Leeds and he’ll now travel to England for his medical in the next 24 hours.”
Deal all but done
With Romano giving his trademark “here we go” to the deal, it looks as though it’s just a matter of time before McKennie becomes to latest American to join the ranks at Elland Road.
McKennie has spent his career playing at the highest level in Germany, with Schalke, and Italy, with Juventus.
The Texas-born midfielder has won trophies in his career, playing a heap of international football and has a great deal of experience playing in the Champions League.
Mateusz Klich was allowed to leave earlier this month, meaning that Jesse Marsch needed to add a new central option to his squad because the options there are fairly limited.
Sam Greenwood doesn’t seem like he’s got the quality to be a long-term option there, Adam Forshaw isn’t anywhere near as good as he was under Marcelo Bielsa and players like Darko Gyabi aren’t quite ready.
Marc Roca and Tyler Adams have done a decent enough job there this season so it’ll be interesting to see if McKennie replaces Roca or if someone like Brenden Aaronson loses his spot in the side and Marsch goes with a more solid midfield three.
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