Weston McKennie ‘is on Roma’s radar’ but Juventus are ‘reluctant’ to sell to Serie A rival

USMNT star midfielder Weston McKennie is said to be on Roma’s radar, following his return to parent club Juventus from his disastrous loan spell at Leeds United.

Roma manager Jose Mourinho is looking to add a ‘dynamic midfielder’ to his squad this summer and McKennie, 24, could fit the bill.

McKennie made 19 appearances in the Premier League for the Whites after sealing a midseason loan move to England in January, though his spell with the Yorkshire club  ended on a wimp after suffering relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season. 

Now, Roma representatives are said to have made contact with the player’s agent over a potential deal, according to Corriere dello Sport, with Roma director Tiago Pinto keen to bolster Mourinho’s options in midfield. 

Following an successful loan spell with Juventus during the 2020-21 season, Schalke sold McKennie to the Turin-based club for $20million (£15M) just a year later.

Weston McKennie is on the move this summer as he’s deemed surplus to requirements in Turin

Roma boss Jose Mourinho is keen to boost his midfield options after finishing sixth last season

Since then, McKennie has made a total of 96 appearances for the Bianconeri over the last two years. 

The Serie A outfit, however, are said to be reluctant to sell the player to direct a rival. 

Roma finished sixth by the end of last season, while Juve lied in seventh place. Both were separated by just a single point and will not play in any European competition next season.

McKennie won the CONCACAAF Nations League with USA, including a semifinal vs. Mexico

McKennie has also been linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray and several Premier League clubs, including Brighton, Aston Villa and Newcastle. 

Those in charge of transfers at Juventus are believed to be seeking a fee of $33M (£25M) if they are to allow the midfielder to seek a permanent exit from the club this summer, according to Goal.com.

McKennie was recently handed a four-game suspension as a result of his on-field conduct during the US’ 3-0 win over Mexico in the CONCACAAF Nations League semifinal.

The player has not been included on the Star and Stripes’ squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which starts Saturday, with the U.S. Soccer Federation preferring to name a a mostly junior line of names for the tournament. 

McKennie’s international teammate Sergino Dest was also given a suspension for his conduct during the June 15 game against Mexico. The Barcelona fullback will serve a three-game ban for his role in a brawl that broke out during the second half of the North American rivalry match.