According to football journalist, Ben Jacobs Everton is one of the clubs that have recently scouted Juventus and USMNT midfielder, Weston McKennie. With Juventus open to selling the 24-year-old, McKennie will apparently consider his future after the World Cup in Qatar.
McKennie joined the Italian giants from Schalke in 2021 after their relegation to Bundesliga 2 for a fee believed to be around £18 million [via Transfermarkt]. Although, the midfielder did join the club the season prior, on a season-long loan deal. His performances obviously impressed the Juventus hierarchy, choosing to make his deal permanent the season after.
Since joining Juventus, the American has played 88 matches, netting 11 times, 2 of which have come in the Champions League.
Everton were linked with a move for the midfielder in the summer transfer window during their midfield overhaul, but despite also being linked with multiple other moves such as to Tottenham Hotspur and PSG, McKennie eventually ended up staying at Juventus as Allegri saw the midfielder as part of his plans. However, recent reports suggest that his plans might have changed.
Ben Jacobs has recently confirmed that Everton are one of the clubs to have recently scouted Weston McKennie, with Juventus reportedly willing to sell the midfielder for a fee of around £20 million either in January or in the summer.
Several Premier League clubs have scouted McKennie, including Newcastle, Leeds, Everton and Arsenal. But none have advanced interest yet. He's a player who could well move to England in January but right now there is nothing advanced from any potential Premier League suitors.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 24, 2022
McKennie has been given high praise for his recent performances, performing well for both club and country on recent occasions and looking in good form going into Qatar 2022.
In a press conference after one of Juventus’ recent fixtures, Allegri was asked about McKennie, to which he stated [via prosoccerwire]:
“McKennie is probably the best American player playing in Europe.”
“I think it’s very important for him to continue showing the high levels that he has at Juve.”
Although it is clear that McKennie is a very good football player and would probably improve Everton’s current squad, with the likes of Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye signing in the summer and the likes of Alex Iwobi now thriving in a midfield 3, surely the £20 million would be better saved or spent elsewhere, such as on attacking reinforcements.
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