Leeds United have been boosted in their attempts to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, with journalist Pete O'Rourke claiming a January move could happen.
The Lowdown: Leeds keen on signing McKennie
The Whites are searching for a new midfielder in the January transfer window, with Kalvin Phillips out injured for the foreseeable future and reports suggesting Victor Orta is seeking two additions - a number six and a number eight.
One player who Leeds have been linked with signing is McKennie, with the American not always a regular for Juventus this season, starting 11 out of 20 Serie A matches.
It appears as though Marcelo Bielsa could be pushing for the £22.5million-rated midfielder's signature, with a fresh update emerging on the situation.
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The Latest: Journalist provides update
Speaking to Give Me Sport, O'Rourke claimed a January move for McKennie isn't out of the question:
"I think McKennie could be a target, whether you could get them away from Juventus to join a relegation battle will be another issue, but Juventus are open to letting McKennie go, so that maybe gives Leeds a bit of hope in that one."
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The Verdict: Much-needed addition
The 23-year-old is exactly the kind of player Leeds could do with signing this month, with his profile ideal for what Bielsa is looking for.
His age makes him a long-term acquisition but he already possesses plenty of experience, scoring eight goals in 28 caps for the USA and making 65 appearances for Juve after racking up 91 games for Schalke.
According to the official Bundesliga site, the youngster is capable of playing pretty much anywhere in midfield and even in defence, making him the ideal signing in Orta's search to add depth to the squad - he has played eight different positions in his career.
His former manager in Germany, David Wagner, hailed him as a 'leader', which is surely the type of personality Bielsa would want in a relegation dogfight.
McKennie was won an average of 1.6 aerial duels per game in the league this season, not to mention 1.1 tackles and dribbles apiece, highlighting his all-round expertise in the middle of the park.
In other news, Leeds have also been linked with another signing. Find out who it is here.