£30.7m Juventus star decides between Arsenal and Leeds United with transfer set ‘to be completed’ | OneFootball

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie is heading to the Premier League as he has ‘cleared out his locker’ amid interest from Arsenal and Leeds United.

The USA international impressed at the World Cup. He caught the eye in the goalless draw in the group stages against Gareth Southgate’s England.

His situation at Juventus has been uncertain in recent months. They are keen to offload some squad players after it was confirmed that they have been docked 15 points over their capital gains violations.

McKennie has been regularly linked with a move to the Premier League over the past couple of years and a move has looked increasingly likely in recent days.

At the start of this week, it was reported that Arsenal were ready to ‘ignite’ their interest in the Juventus centre-midfielder.

The Gunners are in the market for a centre-midfielder after they failed to sign one during the summer transfer window.

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have both been in superb form this season but Mohamed Elneny’s injury leaves them short of options in the middle of the park.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta acknowledged earlier this week that they “need some cover in midfield”.

“Well, we need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can but obviously, in this market, it’s very complicated to do that,” Arteta told reporters.

“But as I always say the most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good.”

Arsenal are not alone in targeting McKennie, though. Leeds United are also interested as they look to pair him with international teammate Tyler Adams.

Football Insider are now reporting that McKennie has ‘told friends that he is going to Leeds United’.

The player is already said to have ‘agreed personal terms’ and he is now ‘closing in on a move to Elland Road’.

Leeds are understood to have ‘increased their bid on Thursday to £24.6million plus add-ons and that could lift the total package closer to Juve’s £30.7m asking price’.

Jesse Marsch’s side are reportedly ‘increasingly confident’ that a ‘deal will be completed this weekend’. The transfer window closes next week and the club’s medical team are ‘on standby’ with it believed that a medical could take place ‘over the next 24 hours’.

McKennie recently suggested that he and Leeds star Adams know how to get the best out of each other.

“One of the things, as far as me and Tyler [Adams], have learned about each other is that he does all the running and I do all the playing. No, I’m just kidding!” McKennie joked.

“But I think just us being together for as long as we have and knowing each other for so long, we’ve, I think, developed a relationship that we know each other’s tendencies, we know each other’s abilities, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how to cover for one another.”

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