Liverpool are considering a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur target Weston McKennie in January, according to recent reports.
The Reds are in need of reinforcements in the midfield area and have already been scanning the transfer market for more options.
This news will come as a blow for Spurs, however, who have been eyeing a move for the Juventus midfielder for some time.
Jude Bellingham is the clear top priority for Jurgen Klopp, after he dazzled with some fantastic performances at Qatar 2022.
Although, there have also been links to two other World Cup stars: Enzo Fernandez and Sofyan Ambrabat. Although, it’s likely that all three would only be available at the end of the season.
As reported by HITC, the McKennie could be targeted by Klopp as a potential stop-gap option.
A loan deal would also be ideal, allowing the German manager to take a look at McKennie before deciding whether to sign him on a permanent deal.
Since arriving from FC Schalke in 2021, the American has put in some sporadic good performances for Juventus, but has failed to become a regular in Massimiliano Allegri’s team.
In 91 appearances for Juve across all competitions, McKennie has scored 11 goals and contributed four assists for his side, which is not exactly prolific.
This season, he has played 11 matches in Serie A, scoring and assisting once.
McKennie also put in some good performances for the US national team at the World Cup, playing in all four of their fixtures as USMNT reached the round of 16.
However, it’s clear that Allegri doubts the quality of his midfielder, as he has previously criticised McKennie for failing to convert chances in big games.
Following a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina early in the season, he said:
“The thing to [he has to] absolutely improve on is that when you have the chance to go 2-0 up, you have to take it. Those are the key moments that decide seasons,” he told DAZN, via Goal.
“You can also miss the shot, but I didn’t see meanness. You have to get used to that again, it’s not all easy.
“That’s all, then I don’t get angry at the guys for anything. From that moment then came the corner and the equaliser, which changed everything.”
Despite falling out of favour with the Italian coach, McKennie is a strong, versatile player, who can play as a defensive midfielder, a more central number eight and has also played on the right wing on occasion.
So, for Spurs and Liverpool, he would provide cover in a number of positions.
Interestingly, there would be scope for Liverpool to turn any loan for McKennie into a permanent transfer, since the American is expected to leave Juventus in 2023.
This is bad news for Spurs fans, however, as the club have been looking at signing McKennie for several months now.
According to Football.London, Tottenham director of football Fabio Parataci is a huge fan of McKennie and in fact, he wanted to sign the Juve midfielder ahead of Rodrigo Bentancur last January.
However, with Liverpool now interested, it could be up to McKennie himself to decide which Premier League club he will potentially join in a month’s time.
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