Interest in Weston McKennie from Victor Orta stretches back to his Schalke 04 days and Leeds United will keep an eye on his Juventus situation across the final week of the transfer window. However, the 24-year-old would demand a large fee either permanently or via a loan and he takes home a big salary in Turin.
The Whites are understood to be happy with their squad as it is and will only move in the final week of the window if the right opportunity crosses Orta’s desk. The loss of Mateusz Klich to D.C. United has prompted calls for a new midfielder, but Leeds are keeping their options open with a squad they like.
McKennie is understood to be open to a Juventus exit and Orta’s long-standing interest in the midfielder tallies with the emergence of reports about Leeds from Italy. The USA international is evidently familiar with Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Jesse Marsch too.
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The American would be an ideal fit in the midfield three Marsch has begun to use in recent weeks. McKennie’s versatility has been noted, but he seems most natural as a box-to-box midfielder or as the more advanced option down the sides of a 4-3-3.
McKennie’s Juventus contract expires in June 2025, which takes the pressure off any imminent need for the Serie A giants to sell in this window. If Leeds were to end the month as they are, Marsch’s fit midfield options would consist of Marc Roca, Adams, Darko Gyabi and Sam Greenwood.
Aaronson, Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison have also been used as hybrid attacking options off the flanks of a midfield three. Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas, currently unavailable, would also be natural fits in the midfield department when fit.
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