West Ham, Tottenham set for winter scrap as tasty price revealed for Rice clone
Reports claim Juventus have revealed their asking price for midfielder Weston McKennie, with Tottenham and West Ham United set to battle for his signature.
The Premier League pair have been linked with the 23-year-old for some time. And it was reported earlier this week that Juve are prepared to sell. The Old Lady need to raise funds for the own recruitment and the USA international may be set to leave.
He moved to Turin on a season-long loan in the summer of 2021. But the Serie A giants made it permanent before the season had finished.
They paid German club Schalke €18.5 million, plus €6.5 million in potential bonuses, offering the schemer a four-year contract. Having made 34 league appearances in 2020-2021, McKennie has seen plenty of action this term.
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The Fort Lewis-born ace has enjoyed four starts among five top-flight outings. He has yet to find the net, with Juve sitting seventh in the standings and 10 points behind table-topping Napoli.
The London due have been on the case for some time. Spurs made contact with the Italians over the summer, according to reports.
Nothing materialised and north London rivals Arsenal then appeared to enter the picture. It was said that the Gunners were willing to swap Granit Xhaka for McKennie – but again the trail went cold.
Other clubs to have been mentioned in connection with the player include Everton and Aston Villa. But the Hammers seem near the front of the queue for the man capped 25 times by America.
And it seems as though he will not break the bank. Calciomercato claim that he will be offered to clubs in January and priced at only £25.5m.
It remans to be seen if that price holds until mid winter but it would be an attractive proposition.
Versatile McKennie ticks all boxes
McKennie has made 53 appearances in all competitions for Juventus, contributing directly to nine goals. He is a box-to-box midfielder but capable of playing in many positions.
The former FC Dallas youth star was deployed in central defence, as a full-back and even played up front for Schalke. He can feature as a deep-lying holding midfielder, similar in style to Declan Rice.
And it was recently reported by Football Insider that West Ham chief David Moyes is looking for Rice’s long-term successor. The England ace is on Manchester United’s radar and seems reluctant to pen fresh terms at the London Stadium.
The Scot is said to have earmarked McKennie as a possible replacement should the club talisman opt to move on. Rice’s value is climbing all the time and leaves Moyes in a strong position to recruit.
READ MORE: Lethal striker on West Ham radar confirms club will ‘cooperate’ with transfer
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