West Ham United have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie as manager David Moyes looks to add further reinforcements to his engine room options.
What’s the story?
According to The Sun, West Ham are keen to secure the 23-year-old’s services, with Juve placing a £25m price tag on the youngster.
However, the Hammers are set to face fierce competition for McKennie’s signature as fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also listed as potential suitors.
The report also states that the Serie A giants would be prepared to let the American international depart on an initial loan deal in January as long as there is an obligation to buy.
Would McKennie be a good signing?
Yes, definitely!
No way!
David Moyes would love him
Given that McKennie is known to be available for transfer, GSB must complete a move for the box-to-box dynamo, providing Moyes with a top-class operator in the centre of the pitch.
After departing his homeland back in 2016, the 25-cap USA star joined Bundesliga outfit Schalke and soon established himself as one of German football’s most exciting prospects.
His tally of five goals and seven assists in 91 appearances for the Royal Blues earned him a high-profile move to Juventus last summer, and former boss Andrea Pirlo was a big fan of his.
Calling him a “rock“, the Italy icon added: “He’s young and can improve a lot. In my opinion, he’s a midfielder who can play as a No 8 in a three in midfield, right or left. He gets in the box and scores goals, but he’s also very good at winning the ball back.
“His role is in a three in midfield as one of the two players on either side of the regista. Last year we played in a different system, so he had to adapt.”
However, it appears as though new Juve chief Massimiliano Allegri doesn’t hold McKennie in the same high regard as his predecessor.
The youngster has completed 90 minutes just twice for the Old Lady in the opening weeks of the new campaign, leading to speculation that an imminent exit is on the cards.
As a result, West Ham must swoop for McKennie before their domestic rivals snap him up, supplying Moyes with an ideal replacement for the retiring Mark Noble and an up-and-coming prodigy that he’d surely love to work with.
His work ethic and all-round qualities are nothing short of a manager’s dream.
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