Tottenham Hotspur could be about to secure a massive upgrade to their midfield position...
What's the word?
According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Spurs are the one team 'most interested' in signing Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie before Tuesday's transfer deadline and Fabio Paratici could offer Moussa Sissoko in return.
The 22-year-old USA international is thought to be one of several players that could leave the Serie A giants this week and the Lilywhites sporting director is keen to re-sign him, having been the man to bring him to the Allianz Arena in August 2020.
Spurs face competition from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, as well as Monaco and Bayern Munich.
Bye-bye Sissoko?
It's certainly time to move Sissoko on, so if Paratici can include the ageing Frenchman in any deal, then the north Londoners will be onto a winner.
The 32-year-old has shown major signs of regression over the past 12 to 18 months - as per WhoScored, he averaged 1.4 dribbles per game during the 2019/20 campaign but that halved to 0.7 last season. His creativity slipped, too, managing 0.4 fewer key passes per outing and he was not as solid defensively, seeing a decrease in tackles per game.
McKennie may have struggled to cement his place in Juve's starting XI but he still managed to find the net five times and his numbers far exceed that of Sissoko.
[snack-amp-story url= "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-more" title= "Read the latest Spurs team and injury news, transfer rumours, gossip and much, much more!"]
Since 2016/17, the £22.5m-rated dynamo has contributed 1.9 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 1.5 dribbles and one key pass every 90 minutes. That's simply a world above the struggling Spurs star.
The American is a player capable of playing several different roles in midfield, which in some ways is similar to the former Newcastle man.
"He's an outstanding talent. In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need," McKennie's ex-Schalke boss David Wagner claimed, via Bundesliga.com. "And he's brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga."
Indeed, his skillset has also been dubbed "unique" and "versatile" by USA coach Gregg Berhalter.
So, if Spurs can secure a move for McKennie before next week's deadline, with Sissoko being used as a makeweight in the deal, then many around N17 should be absolutely delighted.
They will be getting a massive upgrade and at the same time, shifting on a divisive £80k-per-week dud. Paratici must get this one over the line.
AND in other news, Paratici could complete Spurs' summer business with "unplayable" £27m-rated "machine"...