Leeds CONFIRM the signing of USA international Weston McKennie
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Leeds CONFIRM the signing of USA international Weston McKennie after beating late interest from Fulham and Nottingham Forest… with the midfielder on loan with a £30m buy option.
- Leeds had been eyeing a deal for Juventus’ American midfielder Weston McKennie.
- They then faced late competition for him from Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
- Leeds beat out rival interest to agree an initial loan with a £30m purchase option
Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie on loan.
The US international will join Leeds until the end of the season after the club beat competition from Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
Leeds agreed a loan with an option to pay £30m for the 24-year-old McKennie earlier this week.
Leeds United have edged out late competition to agree a deal for Weston McKennie from Juventus
The deal, which includes a €1.5m (£1.3m) loan fee, is another big statement of intent from Leeds to support manager Jesse Marsch after signing Georginio Ritter earlier in the window for £35. .5 million Hoffenheim.
Juventus made McKennie available for loan with an option to buy earlier this month, sparking interest from Leeds.
Sportsmail previously reported that the US international has always wanted to play in the Premier League and sees Leeds as a very exciting opportunity to live out that dream.
He has played a total of 70 games for Juventus scoring nine goals after joining from German side Schalke in 2020.
The deal is another big statement from Leeds to support manager Jesse Marsch.
His overhead kick against Barcelona in the Champions League was one of the best for the Italian outfit, and he scored many more important goals in Serie A, which has seen Juventus qualify for the Champions League in the past two years.
McKennie has played 15 league games this season, 21 in all competitions, but he is considered ‘the most expendable’ of Max Allegri’s squad, despite his versatility.
He also started every game for the USA at the World Cup in Qatar, as they were knocked out in the round of 16 by the Netherlands.
He played in every game for the US in the World Cup and has played 21 times for Juventus this season.
McKennie’s move comes after striker Georginio Ritter signed for £35.5m earlier this month.
McKennie’s strong physique will be of great benefit to Leeds, but he is also versatile and looks poised to play a key role in their Premier League relegation battle, with Marsch’s side just one point out of the relegation zone. in position 15.
He is a midfielder who can play as a right back or as a holding midfielder in front of the back line.
Capped 41 times for the USA, he can also make clever plays behind the defense to the Yorkshire side’s benefit. He can also play as a center forward, although his technical ability was not considered as good as other players in Juve’s squad.
McKennie was also being monitored by Arsenal, but Gunners supporters were less than impressed with the midfielder’s possible arrival, prompting his father, John, to hit back at ‘couch pundits’ on Twitter.
Leeds return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest next Sunday in a decisive game and one in which McKennie could make his debut.