Beaten Europa League finalists Roma are reportedly weighing up a summer bid for Juventus misfit Weston McKennie. According to Corriere dello Sport, Jose Mourinho is eager to land a ‘dynamic midfielder,’ hence the club’s interest in the United States international.
Roma completed their first major deal earlier in the summer, securing the services of Houssem Aouar on a free transfer. The Frenchman, who ran down his contract at Lyon, arrived as a long-term replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum. After an injury-plagued season, the Dutch veteran returned to his parent club Paris Saint-Germain.
But the Giallorossi are unwilling to put the brakes on their recruitment program. McKennie is the next target, with Roma already establishing contact with the player’s camp to discuss a potential move. The USMNT star spent last season on loan at Leeds United. However, after the Whites failed to preserve their Premier League status, he’s on his way back to Juventus.
McKennie seemingly has no future in Turin. As such, Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto is confident of getting the deal over the line. Despite his struggle, Mourinho sees the box-to-box midfielder as an upgrade on his current options. Juventus are open to selling the 24-year-old, who’s had a hard time since moving to the Allianz Stadium from Schalke 04 in 2020.
He made 96 appearances for the Bianconeri. Yet he could leave for a fair price. Juventus will reportedly demand up to €30 million to let go of McKennie, a fee that could be beyond Roma’s reach. On top of that, the Giallorossi are not the only competitors in the race to sign the 44-capped USMNT international.
Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray are also in the mix, encouraged by the winter arrival of Nicolo Zaniolo. They’ve proved more than capable of luring senior European stars to Istanbul, as witnessed by the recent transfers of Dries Mertens and Mauro Icardi. Therefore, Roma would be well advised to move quickly if they’re to get their hands on McKennie.
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