Leeds pushing to sign Weston McKennie before January transfer window deadline - The Athletic 28/1/23
By Phil Hay
Leeds United remain locked in talks with Juventus over
Weston McKennie with the Elland Road club pushing to strike a deal for the
midfielder in the last few days of the window.
McKennie, 24, has been the subject of constant negotiations
in the past 48 hours as Leeds try to complete their third major January signing
before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Leeds have already spent around £40million on Max Wober from
RB Salzburg and Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim and their interest in a new
central midfielder has led to the door of USA international McKennie.
Azzedine Ounahi was previously on the radar at Elland Road
but Leeds were reluctant to meet Angers’ asking price for the Moroccan and
reports in France indicate that Ounahi is set to sign for Marseille.
McKennie, however, is firmly in Leeds’ sights and has
indicated his desire to move to the Premier League if United can agree terms
with Juventus.
The structure of a potential deal for a footballer who Juve
value in excess of £20 million is still under discussion.
The Serie A side are keen to recoup money immediately for
McKennie, who they signed from Schalke in 2020. Loan options have also been
under discussion and negotiations were expected to continue today.
Leeds decided to move for McKennie following conversations
with head coach Jesse Marsch.
He would be the third USMNT squad member to move to Elland
Road in the past year after Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson.
Leeds are also looking to wrap up a deal for Portuguese
defender Diogo Monteiro ahead of the January deadline.
The centre-back, who plays for Servette in Switzerland,
turned 18 today, freeing Leeds to table a formal offer to bring him to the UK.
Monteiro is highly-rated but would be added to the Under-21
squad at Elland Road initially.
