Weston McKennie is approaching a temporary move to Leeds United, transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano has reported. The Juventus midfielder will fly to England within 24 hours to undergo his medical tests and then sign his contract. The American international will be rented for the sum of 1.2 million euros until the end of the season, after which Leeds has the option to take him over for 33 million euros, excluding bonuses.
McKennie has also come to an agreement with Leeds on personal terms. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri already announced on Saturday that he would not be able to have him for the home game against AC Monza on Sunday. “Certainly not. There are transfer rumors about him and I believe the two clubs have reached an agreement. It would be pointless to have him in the match selection tomorrow.”
Allegri later confirmed that an agreement has indeed been reached between Juventus and Leeds. “But I can’t say whether it will be final,” he said. “He is a player who is now well marketed, so it is normal not to use him tomorrow.” At Leeds, McKennie meets his compatriot and trainer Jesse Marsch. According to various media, the coach and McKennie have already spoken several times, making a transfer seem like a matter of time for some time. With Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, the selection also includes two American players.
At Leeds, where the Dutchmen Pascal Struijk and Crysencio Summerville are also under contract, McKennie will compete for a central midfield position with Adams and Marc Roca, among others. Marsch typically maintains a 4-2-3-1 system at the club, usually opting for Adams and Roca as his two controlling midfielders. After three years of furore at Schalke 04, McKennie moved to Juventus in the summer of 2020, which initially hired him for 4.5 million euros. After a season, the Turin club took him over for 20.5 million euros. The Texan eventually came into action 96 times for Juventus, in which he scored thirteen hits and five assists.