Alasdair Gold has dropped a claim on reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Weston McKennie.
What’s the talk?
In a recent Q&A on football.london, the journalist revealed that Fabio Paratici has already held talks with the Juventus midfielder’s representatives regarding a move for the 23-year-old in the summer transfer window, with further reports suggesting the Serie A side would demand a figure in the region of €40m (£34m) in order to part with the USA international.
In response to a question concerning Tottenham’s interest in the former Schalke starlet, Gold said: “Weston McKennie is someone Paratici is a big fan of and I reported back in January that he held talks that month with the player’s representatives about a potential summer move.
“I wouldn’t bet against him following up on that this summer but much depends on how willing Juventus are to let him go after a season in which he was a regular starter before suffering a metatarsal fracture in February which all but ended his campaign until the final match.”
Kulusevski 2.0
Considering McKennie’s extremely impressive positional versatility, undoubted ability and potential for future growth – not to mention his previous relationship with Paratici – it is not difficult to understand why the Tottenham sporting director would be interested in a deal to bring the 23-year-old to north London this summer.
Indeed, with the signing of a forward-thinking central midfielder reported to be one of Antonio Conte’s priority targets ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, the £60m-rated American appears to be something of a perfect fit for the 52-year-old’s requirements.
According to FBref data, the £53k-per-week talent ranks in the top 14% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90, as well as the top 5% for non-penalty xG.
Furthermore, he is in the top 14% for shots, the top 15% for npxG+xA, the top 2% for touches in the opposition penalty area and the top 2% for progressive passes received over the last 365 days.
On top of that, the 23-year-old ranks in the top 4% of attacking midfielders for interceptions per 90, in addition to the top 1% for clearances, the top 10% for blocks, the top 8% for aerials won, the top 16% for tackles and the top 40% for pressures over the last 12 months.
The 31-time capped international’s ability to operate from defensive, central, attacking and right midfield would also come as a huge bonus to Conte, with David Wagner previously commenting on the American’s impressive positional ability, stating back in 2020:
Do you think McKennie would be a good signing for £34m?
Yes
No
“In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he’s brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.”
As such, should McKennie indeed be available for a figure of just £34m this summer, it would seem highly advisable for Paratici to sanction a swoop for the Juventus playmaker, as the 23-year-old could very easily go on become Spurs’ next Dejan Kulusevski success story at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
AND in other news: Fabrizio Romano drops “serious” Spurs transfer update, supporters will be buzzing