---
title: "Leeds: Whites optimistic about signing Weston McKennie"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-whites-premier-league-weston-mckennie-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2023-01-28T17:20:18Z"
modified: "2023-01-28T17:20:18Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites optimistic about signing Weston McKennie

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) remain optimistic about completing the signing of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, according to Fabrizio Romano.**

### The Lowdown: Leeds linked with McKennie

The Whites have been continually [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/weston-mckennie-tells-friends-hes-heading-to-leeds/) with a move for the USA international in recent days as [Jesse Marsch](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/jesse-marsch/) looks to make a significant signing.

McKennie was a key figure for his country at the 2022 [World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/), starting [four matches](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/338275/Show/Weston-McKennie) in Qatar and helping his nation to reach the knockout rounds.

While the 24-year-old has made [13 starts](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/338275/Show/Weston-McKennie) in Serie A for Juventus this season, it increasingly looks as though his future could lie elsewhere.

### The Latest: Leeds confident over McKennie move

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1619141520397049856?s=20&t=e24xxBt70pMxhQKdkRu8-w), Romano claimed that Leeds are confident of completing a move for McKennie, with negotiations ‘progressing well’.

The Italian tweeted in the early hours of Saturday morning:

> “Understand there’s optimism now for Weston McKennie to join Leeds. Talks are progressing well on loan with buy clause — positive contacts in the last hours.
>
> “New round of talks will take place on Saturday to get the deal sealed.”

[![Latest Leeds United updates](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-14/)

### The Verdict: Brilliant partner for Adams

This is a hugely encouraging update for Leeds, as McKennie could be a fantastic potential signing, having been described as ‘[dangerous](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11187665/Clint-Dempsey-heaps-praise-Gio-Reyna-Weston-McKennie-Americans-star-Champions-League.html)‘ by his compatriot Clint Dempsey.

The fact that the [£54k-per-week](https://fbref.com/en/players/01c3aff5/Weston-McKennie#all_wages) American knows Tyler Adams [so well at international level](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tyler-adams/gemeinsameSpiele/spieler/332705/gegner/332697/kriterium/2/wettbewerb//liga/0/verein/3505) is an added bonus, and they could forge a formidable midfield pairing for the Whites, one full of energy and quality.

McKennie averaged [one key pass](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/338275/Show/Weston-McKennie) per game at the World Cup and is adept at getting into advanced positions, ranking among the [top 16%](https://fbref.com/en/players/01c3aff5/Weston-McKennie) of positional peers in Europe’s big five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area and progressive passes received.

He would be a big signing for Leeds, in terms of potentially helping to steer them further away from the Premier League relegation zone.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“418869″\]