Fabio Paratici is again interested in Juventus star Weston McKennie as a target to improve Tottenham Hotspur. The American ace has been on Spurs’ shortlist for the past two years.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Paratici will now drive Spurs’ attempt to sign McKennie in January. The midfielder is a target for a number of Premier League clubs this winter. But the Tottenham chief wants to reunite with his former Bianconeri purchase.
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Paratici was at Juventus when the Serie A side signed McKennie from Schalke. But the 24-year-old has endured lasting difficulties settling at the Allianz Stadium since. Andrea Pirlo was initially disparaging of his ability, while Massimiliano Allegri has repeated his position.
Juventus consider McKennie an instrumental part in the club’s malaise over recent terms. The Turin powerhouse is struggling to recapture their recent dominance in Italian football. So, they could move McKennie on in January as Allegri is often unhappy with his displays.
Premier League teams have an unyielding appreciation for the 34-cap USMNT ace, though. Paratici, in particular, is interested in taking McKennie to England and strengthening Antonio Conte’s midfield at Tottenham. But he will need to fight a clutch of unnamed rival suitors.
Conte also appreciates McKennie as Tottenham show an interest in the Juventus ace
Conte also appreciates McKennie as Paratici shows an interest in Tottenham signing the Juventus midfielder. Calciomercato noted recently that the Spurs head coach ‘really likes’ the American. It is also considered a matter of fact in Italy that he will leave Turin in 2023.
Juventus are happy to listen to offers for the Texas native from as early as January with his contract running until 2025. The Bianconeri handed McKennie a long-term deal in 2021 as they took up an option to make his initial season-long loan move from Schalke permanent.
McKennie cost Juventus €4.5m (£4m) to hire before the Serie A side paid a further €18.5m (£16m) to buy him. His move could also end up costing the Bianconeri €30m (£26m) after add-ons, as well. But the final €5m (£4.5m) the Turin natives could owe is hard to achieve.
Nonetheless, Juventus will no doubt want to recoup a large percentage of the fee should Tottenham advance their interest in McKennie. He has also been a long-term target for the north London club prior to hiring Paratici as managing director and landing Conte in 2021.
Reports by Calciomercato.it claimed interest from Spurs in the American back in December 2020. He has remained on the club’s radar since, with the Daily Mail reporting Tottenham considered signing McKennie this summer. But Juventus were keen to make €40m (£34m).
A strong World Cup with the United States in Qatar could see Juventus hold firm in their valuation. McKennie is a key play under Gregg Berhalter, who has previously described the midfielder as an ‘unbelievable athlete’, via The Guardian, for his strengths in the centre.
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