Leeds United already has the services of two U.S. men’s national team players in its squad this season and now the Yorkshire club is reportedly nearing the acquisition of a third during the January Transfer Window.
Weston McKennie is nearing a move to Elland Road on a loan deal, which would include an option for Leeds United to buy him permanently from Juventus, CBS Sports reported Saturday. Nottingham Forest is also considering McKennie as a midfield option this month, The Athletic reported.
The 24-year-old has already been ruled out of Juventus’ Serie A clash with Monza on Sunday, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed in his pre-match press conference.
“McKennie won’t be available tomorrow because he’s at the center of a negotiation,” Allegri said. “I think the club has already found an agreement with its new team and therefore he won’t be there tomorrow.”
McKennie has been on the radar of several English Premier League clubs over the past year, including Tottenham, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Southampton. Leeds United has been linked with McKennie over the past few weeks, and the American would help solidify an already-talented midfield in Jesse Marsch’s squad.
McKennie originally joined Juventus on loan in September 2020 before the Serie A club purchased him outright from Schalke in July 2021. The USMNT midfielder has totaled 96 appearances in Italy, scoring 13 goals and registering five assists.
He has made 21 combined appearances this season for the Old Lady, scoring three goals and adding two assists.
Leeds United sits 15th in the English Premier League standings, only one point from the relegation zone. The Lilywhites have failed to win any of their last six league matches, despite advancing two rounds in the FA Cup.
to me move looks like a win for all parties
juve is gonna be dinged for points and were not making full use of weston. though not a fan of the high press malarkey of marsch i don’t think it hurts to have american owner american manager american teammates. i also think he himself is an answer to some of the concerns about relegation, which to me feel static. you add weston and he alone helps correct that worry. though i agree they need forwards — but they also need to drop the high press. they look like they run out of gas. i don’t think they need gimmicks.
EPL just got a lot better. As a Man U fan…….damn, lol. Weston McKennie to Leeds United is a DONE DEAL per Fabrizio Romano. He’s a baller and will bring some stability and coordination in the Leeds midfield.
It’ll be a loan deal with an option to buy, and playing under a US coach with the patience and understanding like Jesse Marsh……his development will surely move in the right direction.
LEEDS USA! 🇺🇸
Leeds needs a striker!
Hoping McKennie can give them enough juice to stay up?
I like it too in theory to have 3 Americans on the field together, but why is it good for McKennie? I know he wants to play in the PL. But why go from a top tier team where he gets a lot of playing time to a relegation zone team? I wonder if there’s a clause where it’s canceled if they get relegated. Is that a thing?
Juve is a team in crisis and now you’re competing in the world’s most competitive league. Roca is not Premier League quality. This is a good move for McKennie and makes Leeds better.
“But why go from a top tier team where he gets a lot of playing time to a relegation zone team”
Y’all don’t think Weston is very good do you?
I think the idea is Weston will help make them NOT be a relegation zone team.
Weston is doing well at Juve but the place has a lot of issues and he’s not likely to be a long term stalwart for them. A lot of their fans don’t think that much of him.
He has a much better chance of becoming a beloved Leeds icon than he ever had of doing the same thing at Juve.
The food is much better in Italy but otherwise, this move makes more sense for him than staying where would soon be replaced anyway.
If you want to look way into the future, leading up to the 2026 WC Weston is more likely to still be starting at Leeds than at Juve, assuming he starts anywhere then.
If Leeds go down you can bet they will probably find a way to offload as many of the big contracts as possible, clauses or not.
Don’t worry, Weston will probably not add to the growing American Championship population.
Only a loan with an option to buy at the end. If they are relegated Leeds won’t have the money for a purchase.
JR,
That’s how he started at Juve and look at him now.
If it ain’t broke………………..
Mr. V, I couldn’t agree more 🙂 well said
I like this because we would have 3 American internationals playing practically side by side. Leeds probably needs a couple more players as I don’t think McKennie is e3nough to ensure their staying out of relegation.