Sky Sports reported a little over a week ago that Southampton were in talks with Schalke over a £20 million deal to sign Weston McKennie this summer.
The American international is destined to leave the Royal Blues and many felt that his next destination would be the Premier League. Southampton were tipped to be the favourites in the race but other English clubs were reportedly interested too.
90min revealed recently that Everton, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham were all interested in McKennie. The same report stated that Premier League champions Liverpool had stepped up their scouting of the American but they are unlikely to make a move for him this summer.
All the interested English sides are set to miss out now as McKennie could be on his way to Italy to play for the Serie A champions.
Sport1 claim that Juventus are in talks with the Schalke over a move for McKennie and Andrea Pirlo’s side are prepared to pay the £22.5 million that the Gelsenkircheners are demanding.
The German publication aren’t the only ones reporting the story. Gianluca di Marzio has claimed that Juventus are in talks over an initial loan deal for McKennie with an option to buy him for £16.1 million at the end of the loan spell.
The same was confirmed by social media’s transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, which makes it a huge blow for the likes of Newcastle, West Ham and Southampton.
All three teams could have done with a player like McKennie in the centre of their park but it now looks like Juventus will win the race for him, and the American will get a chance to work under a legendary midfielder in Pirlo.
Southampton, in particular, need to dive into the transfer market to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The Dane has joined Tottenham and McKennie would have been a very good replacement for him, but sadly, it seems like their opportunity is gone.
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