USA midfielder Weston McKennie against England
Leeds United have now reached an agreement with Juventus to sign Weston McKennie, according to Phil Hay.
The Lowdown: McKennie speculation
The Whites have been heavily linked with a move for the midfielder in recent days, making first contact over a potential move on Tuesday. Speculation has gathered pace relatively quickly since then, with personal terms being agreed with the USA international early on.
It seemed at first that a permanent transfer was being negotiated, but it looks as if the two clubs have come to an agreement which will see the 24-year-old move to Elland Road on an initial loan deal.
The Latest: Breakthrough
David Ornstein and Leeds correspondent Hay shared an update for The Athletic on Saturday, shortly after the club’s FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley.
They claimed that a ‘verbal agreement’ has been reached which will see McKennie join Leeds on loan, with the Whites having the option to make the move permanent in the summer.
Fabrizio Romano believes that there will be a €1.2m (£1m) loan fee, with a purchase option of €33m (£29m) plus add-ons.
The Verdict: Good news
A new midfielder appeared to be needed this month after Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers already bolstered Jesse Marsch’s options at the back and up top by signing Max Wober and Georginio Rutter.
Mateusz Klich left Yorkshire for the MLS earlier this month, so McKennie looks set to come in and rival the likes of Tyler Adams and Marc Roca.
Hailed as a ‘monster in the air’ by football writer Wes Rucker, the 24-year-old can play as a holding, central or right midfielder and has made 18 starts for Juventus this season, so this can be viewed as a coup by Leeds chiefs, especially given their current position in the Premier League.
He has mainly been used as a central midfielder in recent months, so Marsch may even look at a line-up which includes all three of McKennie, Adams and Roca, although that could mean leaving out a more attacking player, with Leeds well-stocked when it comes to options in the final third.
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