Schalke star Weston McKennie has made it clear to Aston Villa that he would be interested in a move to the Midlands during the summer transfer window, according to the Birmingham Mail.
2020 has certainly been something of an Annus Horribilis for one of Germany’s most historic clubs and things are going to get worse before they get better.
Schalke failed to win any of their final 16 Bundesliga games last season and clattered face-first into rock bottom on Tuesday night. A 3-1 pre-season defeat to Uerdingen was nothing short of humiliating.
McKennie missed the game as he closes in on a move to the Veltins Arena, according to WAZ.
And a humbling loss to third-tier opposition will surely have the American international convinced that it is time to leap from a sinking ship.
The 21-year-old midfielder wants to swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League.
Southampton are in talks over a £20 million deal which would see McKennie replace captain Pierre-Emile Hojberg (Sky Sports).
But while Aston Villa tried and failed to snatch Aaron Ramsdale from under Sheffield United’s nose, the Midland giants are now hard at work looking to hijack another rival deal.
The Birmingham Mail claims that McKennie is interested in a move to Villa Park and has contacted Dean Smith’s side to make his stance clear.
With billionaire owners Wes Edens and Nasef Sawiris expected to make funds available for another summer splurge, that £20 million price-tag is well within Aston Villa’s reach.
A ‘dominant’ presence who ‘wins everything’ on the pitch (at least according to USA team-mate Christian Pulisic), McKennie would be an immediate upgrade on Conor Hourihane or Marvelous Nakamba in midfield.
His versatility could also solve a problematic right-back spot.
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