USA coach Gregg Berhalter is hoping that Schalke star Weston McKennie completes his £20 million move to Southampton ‘sooner rather than later’, speaking to SoccerAmerica.
There is something special in the springs of the Solent.
Since returning to the Premier League almost a decade ago, Southampton have set a host of raw, rough-edged prospects on the pathway to stardom, from Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane to Ajax talisman Dusan Tadic.
And, in Ralph Hasenhuttl, the Saints now have a coach who is famed for his ability to coax every inch of potential out of an exciting young prospect.
St Mary’s, then, feels like the ideal destination for an all-action, versatile 21-year-old who, according to Sky Sports, has his heart set on a move to English shores this summer.
Southampton have entered talks over a £20 million deal which would see McKennie replace departed skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in Hasenhuttl’s midfield.
And Berhalter feels that the USA national team would only benefit from seeing McKennie hone his considerable talents against Kevin de Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Jordan Henderson and co.
“Weston is very focused on challenging himself and raising his game to the highest level possible. When you think about the Premier League, it’s the best league in the world. It’s exciting,” Berhalter says, with McKennie expected to join his close friend Christian Pulisic in Britain.
“We wish him the best and hope it’s concluded sooner rather than later.”
McKennie was left out of Schalke’s friendly defeat to third-tier Uerdingen this week as his departure moves closer.
Another highly-rated USA youngster, Antonee Robinson, appears to be on the verge of joining a top-flight outfit too.
The Mail claims that Fulham have agreed a £45,000-a-week contract with the Wigan Athletic left-back, who should complete his £1.9 million switch before the weekend.
“Regarding Antonee, it’s exciting news regarding a potential transfer to a Premier League team. Especially after the break, he was in really good form,” Berhalter adds.
“He proved to be a really dangerous weapon on the left-hand side. For the national team, it’s great news.
“It’s a good opportunity for Antonee to prove he’s capable of being the left-back for the national team.”
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