Mauricio Pochettino has officially been appointed as Manchester United‘s new head coach. Following his arrival at Old Trafford, reports have emerged suggesting that the Argentine manager could look to bring Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie with him.
McKennie’s Current Standing at Juventus
Weston McKennie, a central figure for Juventus, recently committed his future to the club by signing a contract extension that runs until the summer of 2030. Despite previously being linked with moves away from Turin, the versatile American midfielder has consistently fought his way back into the side, proving his worth under various coaches. He has made more appearances for Juventus (241) than any other current squad member.
McKennie also recently showcased his form on the international stage, scoring for the USA in their dominant 6-0 victory over Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League. This performance came during a period where Pochettino, despite his new Manchester United role, remained with the USMNT for their Nations League quarter-final fixtures, highlighting his recent connection with the player.
Potential Transfer Hurdles
While Juventus CEO Giovanni Carnevali has previously indicated that no player at the club is ‘unsellable’, a potential transfer for McKennie would face significant obstacles. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, it would require a ‘monstrous’ offer to persuade Juventus to part ways with the midfielder, especially if a move were to be considered during the upcoming January transfer window.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti is reportedly a keen admirer of McKennie and would ideally prefer to retain him. Although the club has dealt with injuries to central midfielders Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli, Spalletti often deploys McKennie in a more advanced role and has other options in that area, including Kenan Yildiz, Kerim Alajbegovic, Nico Gonzalez, Francisco Conceicao, and Edon Zhegrova.
Pochettino’s Connection to McKennie
Pochettino’s reported interest in McKennie is understood to stem from his recent tenure as head coach of the USA national team. During his time with the USMNT, McKennie was a trusted and reliable option, with his consistent performances seemingly making a strong impression on the Argentine manager.