Weston McKennie to explode in Premier League at Leeds United as Juventus expert shares verdict
TuttoJuve journalist Mirko Di Natale has tipped Weston McKennie to “explode in the Premier League” as he edges closer to signing for Leeds United.
Sky Sports Italy reported on Sunday (29 January) that McKennie, 24, is due to undergo a medical with the Whites on Monday (30 January) after they agreed a loan-to-buy deal with Juventus.
It is understood that Leeds will pay a £1.3million loan fee for the USA international and will have the option to sign him permanently in the summer for at least £30.7million.
Di Natale believes that it’s good business for both Leeds and Juventus because the Italians have been able to get rid of a player they’ve always been open to selling and the Whites get someone who’s set to shine in English football.
Speaking to FootItalia on Sunday (29 January), Di Natale said: “Today was the day when Juventus and Leeds reached an agreement for McKennie.
“For Juventus, he has never been an unsellable player. The Old Lady have always shown an openness to listening to offers.
“I can say that no club before from Leeds spoke concretely with them. So it was a negotiation that closed within two or three days.
“Wes will perhaps definitely explode in the Premier League, but today it has been an excellent sale from an economic point of view.”
Let’s hope he’s right
It could be a few weeks before we see McKennie settled in at Leeds to the point that he’s starting games.
If Marcelo Bielsa was still in charge, the USA international would probably be in the Under-21s for the rest of the season.
But under Jesse Marsch’s leadership, we don’t think it’ll be too long before McKennie is starting.
We’re not sure who he’d replace in the side but given the money that’s being paid for him in that permanent transfer clause – and the fact he’s a more established US international than maybe Tyler Adams or Brenden Aaronson – there’s got to be a chance he’ll be a mainstay of the season.
This is a player who’s been a regular for Schalke in the Bundesliga and Juventus in Serie A – and the Champions League.
He could come in and replace Marc Roca but he could also replace Aaronson, who’s form has been pretty poor since the Premier League resumed after the World Cup.
Either way, we hope Di Natale is right about McKennie being a hit.
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