Leeds WIN the race to sign Weston McKennie, beating off interest from Nottingham Forest and Fulham

Leeds United have beaten off late competition from Nottingham Forest and Fulham to agree a deal for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.

After positive talks in the last 24 hours Leeds struck agreement for a loan with an option to pay £30m for the USA international.

The deal, which includes a €1.5m (£1.3m) loan fee, is another huge statement of intent from Leeds to support manager Jesse Marsch after signing Georginio Ritter earlier in the window for £35.5m from Hoffenheim.

Leeds United have beaten off late competition to agree a deal for Juventus’s Weston McKennie

Juventus made McKennie available to loan with an option to buy earlier this month, prompting interest from Leeds. 

Sportsmail previously reported how the USA international has always wanted to play in the Premier League and sees Leeds as a very interesting opportunity to live that dream 

He has played a total of 70 games for Juventus scoring nine goals after joining from German side Schalke in 2020.

The deal is another huge statement of intent from Leeds to support manager Jesse Marsch

His overhead kick against Barcelona in the Champions League was one of his best for the Italian side, and he netted many more important goals in Serie A, which allowed Juventus to qualify for the Champions League in the last two years.

McKennie has played 15 league games this season, 21 in all competitions, but is considered ‘the most expendable’ of Max Allegri’s squad, despite his versatility.

He also started every match for the USA at the Qatar World Cup, as they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Holland.

The American midfielder has made 15 appearances for Juventus in Serie A so far this season

McKennie’s strong physique will be of huge benefit to Leeds, but he is also versatile and looks set to play a key role in their battle against relegation from the Premier League, with Marsch’s side just a point outside the relegation zone in 15th.

He is a midfielder who can play as a right-back or as a holding midfielder in front of the back line.

The move for McKennie comes after forward Georginio Ritter signed this month for £35.5m

Capped 41 times by the USA, he can also make clever runs behind the defence for the Yorkshire side to benefit from. He can also play off the central striker, although his technical ability was not considered to be as good as other players in the Juve squad.

McKennie was also being monitored by Arsenal, but Gunners supporters were less than impressed with the possible arrival of the midfielder, leading to his father, John, hitting back at ‘couch pundits’ on Twitter. 

Leeds return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest next Sunday in a crunch game and one that McKennie could make his debut in.