Weston McKennie was left out of Schalke’s friendly clash as the reported Southampton, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur target closes in on a move away from the Veltins Arena, according to WAZ.
If you thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse for a Schalke side who failed to win any of their final 16 games last season, think again.
On Tuesday night, German football’s eternal underachievers were humbled 3-1 by third-tier Uerdingen.
It might have been a friendly in name but, for one of Europe’s most passionate fan bases, this is one humiliation too far.
Just to rub salt into the gaping wounds, Schalke’s prized asset was nowhere to be seen on the night.
According to WAZ, McKennie was left out by under-fire coach David Wagner because cash-strapped Schalke are hoping to sell their star man before the window slams shut.
A £20 million windfall would certainly be well received, with Schalke forced to prioritise finances over football.
The Gelsenkirchen giants are fearful that McKennie could suffer an injury which would scupper his hopes of a dream move to the Premier League – explaining why was omitted against Uerdingen.
ESPN claims that Everton, Tottenham, Leicester City and Newcastle United have all shown an interest but, as it stands, it is Southampton who are leading the chase.
Sky Sports even reported earlier this week that talks over a move to St Mary’s are underway, with the £20 million McKennie lined up to fill a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg-shaped void at the heart of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s midfield.
Everton, meanwhile, are in dire need of a dynamic, all-action enforcer who can provide the link between defence and attack.
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