Former USA international Alexi Lalas and sports analyst David Mosse have described Weston McKennie's potential move to Leeds United as 'American overkill' for the Yorkshire club.
The Whites have been trying to get a deal over the line for the US international for the past week which would see him linked with compatriots Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson.
It'd also see him play under American coach Jesse Marsch, and with the club already being 44% owned by 49ers Enterprises - the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers -, Mosse claims that fans across the pond should have other teams to follow, not just Leeds.
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"There's a growing sentiment that he's [Weston McKennie] going to end up at Leeds United," the Fox Sports researcher said on Lalas' State of the Union Podcast. "They've already gotten him to sign off on the deal, agreed personal terms, and it sounds like it's going to happen.
"The reaction amongst US fans appears to be mixed - when you're starting every week at Juventus, amid whatever issues that club is having, and getting linked to the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool and you end up at Leeds United... it does feel a tad underwhelming.
"Plus, Americans want to have different clubs they can follow through the prism of US players and this is starting to feel like overkill. You already have an American coach there and two of the top six US players in the world. Do you need another one? To just join a club that's realistically not going to be challenging for major trophies or Champions League places?"
Lalas then responded: "You also have Chris Armas, who has just been added to their coaching staff. So, how much of this American influence is dictated because these players and coaches are American?
"My point is, if there wasn't an American owner at Leeds, would any of these players or coaches have a job there?"
"The Marsch appointment would've been influenced by that, I think," Mosse replied. "He'd failed at Leipzig and he was a bit of a random name to come up with when they sacked Bielsa.
"But the others, Adams and Aaronson are players that any Premier League club would've been interested in regardless so I don't think that's a stretch."
Lalas then fired back: "So then why would it be 'overkill' to have Weston McKennie come over from Juventus because you framed it as 'American overkill' rather than a great midfield being formed."
Mosse replied: "Oh, it's a good signing for Leeds, I'm just worried from a US fan's perspective that want to follow different clubs."
Lalas then finished with: "Look, I get that. The only reason I'm watching Leeds is because of the American influence. But... I think Weston McKennie is better than Leeds."
"I agree," Mosse said.
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