Juventus could target Borussia Dortmund star Axel Witsel to replace Weston McKennie if the midfielder leaves, amid interest from Tottenham and Everton, per Calciomercato.
Witsel has long been held in high regard in Turin and came close to joining the Bianconeri in the past. The Old Lady could now look to revive their previous obsession to plug a gap in Massimiliano Allegri’s engine room.
McKennie faces a fraught future at the Serie A giants ahead of next Tuesday’s deadline for transfers. Allegri does not intend to count on the American in his first season back at the Allianz Stadium since 2018/19.
Everton and Aston Villa have shown an interest in signing McKennie if he leaves Juventus in the next week. Additionally, Tuttosport report Tottenham Managing Director Fabio Paratici proposed a swap-deal involving Moussa Sissoko, after Juve rejected Tanguy Ndombele.
Aston Villa led the race to sign McKennie earlier this week after making Juventus a straight-cash offer, per Calciomercato. The Bianconeri value the 22-year-old at €30m-35m (£25.5m-30m), just months after paying Schalke £16m to make his loan transfer permanent.
McKennie shone under Andrea Pirlo during the Italian’s sole season in charge of the Serie A outfit. The Texas native offered six goals and three assists over 46 appearances across all competitions. Yet Allegri left the USMNT international out of his matchday squad for the Bianconeri’s 2021/22 season-opener against Udinese last Sunday.
Allegri could now look to sell McKennie amid interest from Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa, and bring Witsel to Juventus. The Belgian has just one year remaining on his Borussia Dortmund contract. Injuries have also forced Marco Rose to field him at centre-half lately.
Witsel offers Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham boost in McKennie race
Juventus considering a move to sign Witsel offers Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham a boost in the race for McKennie. The Belgian may be any easy target to tempt to Turin after their previous efforts, plus his Borussia Dortmund situation.
Witsel is unlikely to want a long-term role in the BVB backline after struggling in the first few games. Allegri can offer him a return to his natural central midfield role and the chance to dictate the Allianz Stadium.
The Italian seemingly does not believe McKennie can control games and offer as much as an all-rounder like Witsel. But McKennie showed enough at Schalke and in his sole year at Juventus to be a great addition at Everton, Aston Villa or Tottenham if one agrees on terms.
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