Hertha Berlin has reportedly moved back into the lead for the Weston McKennie sweepstakes.
Several reports from Germany have stated that the Bundesliga club is in advanced talks with Schalke for the midfielder’s services. Schalke is looking for roughly $30 million for McKennie, but Hertha Berlin remains just behind the asking price.
McKennie has been on the wishlist of several European clubs this summer with teams from England and France also being linked for him. Liverpool, Leicester City, AS Monaco, and Newcastle United have also been mentioned with McKennie, but Hertha Berlin looks to be the clear favorite to add him this summer. Hertha Berlin was linked for McKennie back in July after the midfielder reportedly wanted a move away.
The 21-year-old is a rising star in the Bundesliga after breaking into the Schalke first team in 2018. McKennie made 32 combined appearances for David Wagner’s side this season, scoring three goals and adding one assist. He is currently in preseason camp with Schalke, alongside fellow American midfielder Nick Taitague.
His current contract with the club runs until June 2024, but with Schalke looking to re-bolster its squad, McKennie could be on the way out. McKennie has also continued to be a key piece for the USMNT, making 19 appearances to date with six goals to his name.
Hertha Berlin finished 10th in the Bundesliga last season, two points ahead of Schalke and eight points from the final European qualification spot.
Selfishly I want Newcastle to pony up the money for him. I’d like to watch Almiron and McKinnie work a MF together.
I’m not wild about the whole Hertha Berlin project. Sure they have had an apparent cash infusion from the management, but the Klinsmann debacle makes me worry whether or not the new folks really know what they are doing. I’d rather he doesn’t end up at another financially volatile club doing a “jack of all trades” role, rather than landing somewhere stable, and establishing himself in a specific position in a defined system.
Hertha were in the relegation zone when Klinsmann abandoned ship. They played much better the 2nd half of the season.
that’s a bummer.
probably for Weston, too.
he’s made it pretty clear he’d like to be in EPL