Juventus have made it official, just as Juventini had hoped. They have agreed to sign Weston McKennie permanently on loan, signing him for 18.5 million euros from Schalke. He and Federico Chiesa will now both be promising young players signed permanently from loans, and the club cannot be happier with how these two have played thus far in 2020-2021.
It’s not a stretch to say that McKennie and fellow 2019 summer acquisition Arthur Melo are Juve’s best current midfielders.
The American has been an all-around presence for the club, starting at multiple positions but especially excelling in the middle when he’s able to make those brilliant late runs into the box. McKennie’s finishing has been key to Juve, too, as he’s stepped up with a midfield-high four goals in Serie A to go with two assists.
According to noted insider Fabrizio Romano, Juventus will pay the 18.5 million euros to Schalke, the worst team in Europe’s top five leagues and sure-fire future 2. Bundesliga side, over the next three years.
Juventus could pay Schalke up to 25 million euros for Weston McKennie, and it is money well-spent
McKennie’s transfer fee could go up by an additional 6.5 million euros to 25 million if he hits certain benchmarks during his contract, but I’m sure Juventus would be more than happy to shell out the extra money to the desperate Royal Blues if McKennie shines.
Although McKennie is not quite an every-game starter for Juventus, he is an important player to the squad due to his versatility, intelligent attacking play, high degree of production, and competent defensive work. McKennie is already a superior player to Rodrigo Bentancur, and he has also been more consistent than Aaron Ramsey. In comparison to Adrien Rabiot, McKennie is both more promising and more productive.
So signing McKennie permanently is really a no-brainer for Juventus. He checks off all the boxes as the kind of midfielder Juve need, as he can score goals and add the industrious work that any top club requires. McKennie is a solution, and Arthur is one as well.
Now, it is up to Fabio Paratici and the other key decision-makers in Turin to coax a more attacking presence, perhaps Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, in the summer 2021 transfer window.
For now, Juventini should be elated that the Bianconeri have made it official with McKennie. The 22-year-old has been productive on both ends of the pitch, and he seems like a player who can forge a long, successful career for himself in Turin. He has fit the fabric of the club perfectly.