Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that reported Leeds United and Tottenham target Weston McKennie won’t play again this season due to injury.
Speaking to CalcioMercato, the Italian coach announced that the United States international will be out until the 2022/23 campaign after McKennie broke his foot in Juventus’ UEFA Champions League clash against Villarreal last month.
Allegri said: “His season is over because of his injury. He’ll be back next season.”
The injury has come at the worst possible time for McKennie, who has enjoyed a strong run of form for Juventus in recent months and is now set to miss the USA’s huge FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the end of March against the likes of Mexico and Costa Rica.
Moreover, the news will come as a blow for the likes of Premier League sides Leeds and Tottenham, who are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window.
Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel told Last Word on Spurs that a Tottenham move for the American could happen in the summer, with the Sun also reporting in December that Leeds were eyeing McKennie, who is valued at £20m.
With McKennie now out for the summer, though it is difficult to see the midfielder making a move away from Turin in the off-season despite the numerous rumours linking the former Schalke 04 star with a transfer to the Premier League.
McKennie’s injury for Juventus is a huge blow for Leeds and Tottenham
The 23-year-old looked set to depart Juventus this summer despite impressing for the Old Lady in recent months, yet McKennie’s injury could play a key role in keeping the midfielder in Italy amid interest from Leeds and Tottenham.
Indeed, a medical will be hard to pass given the extent of McKennie’s injury, and for Juventus, the Texan’s form in recent weeks could have done enough to convince the club to reject offers from the likes of Leeds and Tottenham during the summer window.
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