ARSENAL have joined the race to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, according to reports.
Recent reports have indicated Leeds had been closing in on a deal to sign the American midfielder.
However, following Mikel Arteta’s admittance that Arsenal “need more cover in midfield”, they have now thrown their hat in the ring to hijack the deal.
According to Corriere dello Sport in Italy, Leeds have made first contact to sign McKennie in a deal worth up to £26million.
Arsenal coming into the picture has changed the scene however, and McKennie would be far more open to moving to the Emirates than Elland Road.
The report suggests if the Gunners convert their interest into a “concrete lunge” then a deal will be a formality.
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A separate report from Calciomercato indicates McKennie’s agent is already in London to hear more about the offer from Leeds.
Leeds have a strong American contingent at the heart of the club, including midfielder Tyler Adams – who partnered McKennie in midfield at the World Cup – and manager Jesse Marsch.
But the pull of impending Champions League football which Arsenal seem all but certain to be able to offer next season could be too strong of a pulling factor for him.
Juventus are happy to let the 24-year-old go despite recently being slapped with a 15-point penalty after they were found to have inflated transfer fees for players as part of a tax scam.
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The Gunners recently suffered the loss of Mohamed Elneny through injury as midfield cover for the likes of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
Declan Rice has been earmarked as the man to join the club in midfield, but a deal for the West Ham skipper will not happen until the summer and could cost £80m.
Arsenal have already completed deals to sign Leandro Trossard and Jukub Kiwior for a combined £48m from Brighton and Spezia respectively.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
