Leeds United are reportedly stepping up their bid to sign Juventus midfielder, Weston McKennie...
What's the word?
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Whites are believed to be pressing on with talks in the hope of coming to an agreement regarding the USA international, albeit with the Elland Road outfit having yet to meet the Serie A side's €35m (£31m) valuation.
Writing on Twitter about that developing situation, the transfer guru stated: "Negotiations continue between Leeds and Juventus for Weston McKennie as opening bid has been made for €28m, Juventus want €35m fee.
"McKennie has already agreed personal terms with Leeds."
This comes amid what has already been a hectic transfer window for Jesse Marsch's side, with the relegation strugglers having brought in Maximilian Wober and Giorginio Rutter in order to bolster their survival bid.
Marsch's own Kante
Marsch has already used his American connections to secure the signings of both Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams in the recent past, although it looks as if the former RB Leipzig boss could well land yet another of his compatriots in the form of McKennie.
The latter man has been on the books in Turin since joining on an initial loan deal from Bundesliga side Schalke in the summer of 2020, subsequently racking up 13 goals and five assists in 96 games for the 'Old Lady' in that time.
Despite enjoying a profitable 2022/23 campaign thus far on a personal note, with five goal involvements in 21 games in all competitions, the 24-year-old will seemingly be allowed to depart this month amid the ongoing financial struggles that have engulfed the Italian giants.
That loss could well be to Leeds' gain with the 41-cap machine potentially set to thrive in English football, having even been previously compared to Chelsea's N'Golo Kante in the past by former United States international, Alexi Lalas.
That comparison is high praise indeed considering what the diminutive Frenchman has won in the game, notably claiming major honours for both club and country, while also being lauded as one of the most "influential" players in the Premier League over the last decade or so, as per pundit Joe Cole.
The 31-year-old has spent much of the current campaign on the sidelines due to injury, although the World Cup winner notably showed his class last term, averaging 2.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game in his 26 league outings.
McKennie also illustrated his quality as an effective ball-winner after averaging one tackle and 1.1 interceptions per 90 from his 21 league appearances in that 2021/22 campaign, while also showing his quality in possession as he completed 77% of his total dribbles - with Kante recording 73% in that same metric.
That likeness should well be of interest to those back in Yorkshire, with the Juventus "conqueror" - as described by Lalas - potentially set to bring his Kante-esque quality to Marsch's side in the near future.