Midfielder Weston Mckennie has officially joined Premier League side Leeds United on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old midfielder has contributed significantly to Juventus’ progress since joining the club from Bundesliga side Schalke at the start of the 2020/21 season. During his time with the Bianconeri, the US International has scored 13 times and recorded 5 assists. Mckennie is known for his versatility. He can play in numerous positions as a deep-lying midfielder and can be deployed as a box-to-box man.
The figures behind the deal and the details
Reports claimed that talks were reaching a stalemate between the two sides involved. It was not until Friday night that the deal unlocked for the sides. Leeds United president Andrea Radrizzani was the key man during the final negotiations. He kept his coach Jesse Marsch’s demands of bringing in Weston McKennie.
Leeds will pay a sum of around 1.2 million euros for a season-long loan fee. The agreement comes with the option to buy at the end of the season for 33 million euros with add-ons.
McKennie’s agents reached an agreement on personal terms with the Premier League side during the early hours of Saturday. His salary currently remains undisclosed.
The background
Though there was apparently no competition for Weston Mckennie except for a late effort from Nottingham Forest.
Leeds had to step up their negotiations which were going calmly until the rumor set in that their Premier League counterparts were expected to seize the deal with Juventus.
The Bianconeri’s asking price was around 35 million euros for a permanent transfer. This may have looked excessive on the part of the Elland Road dwellers who would rather have the player tested to the competitive nature of the Premier League before betting on him for the long term.