Arsenal interested in signing Weston McKennie, report says

The league leaders in the Premier League, Arsenal, could make a move to shore up its midfield with American talent Weston McKennie.

The Gunners, which recently extended a lead at the top of the table, are making a push to the title. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, McKennie would welcome a move to the Emirates. This month, the American turned down offers from Bournemouth and Aston Villa. Instead, he wishes to play for a bigger club, should England come calling.

Certainly, Arsenal fits the billing as a ‘bigger’ club, particularly compared to Villa and Bournemouth. According to Gazzetta, Juventus would want somewhere in the range of $25 million for McKennie. The Bianconeri purchased McKennie from Schalke in 2021 after a loan spell the season before. However, the American did not fully impress in Turin. Still, at the age of 24, McKennie can still improve. He also carries the American badge with him, bringing in a horde of fans from across the Atlantic Ocean.

Juventus can lose McKennie without much damage, says Gazzetta. In 15 starts, he has just one goal in Serie A. He did add two more to that tally in the Champions League. Juventus’s form did not change much when McKennie missed three games with a muscle injury just before the World Cup.

He can, however, make a considerable difference at Arsenal, even if his time at Juventus does not jump off the page.

Weston McKennie on the radar of Arsenal

The league leaders are humming in the midfield. Martin Ødegaard is having a breakout season. Thomas Partey is a rock in the middle of the park. Then, Granit Xhaka provides the stability and experience for an otherwise young squad.

Beyond that, Arsenal does not have much in the midfield. Emile Smith-Rowe is talented and great when healthy. But, he is more of an attacking option. Albert Sambi Lokonga has not impressed in admittedly limited minutes. The other options are either too defensive, like Rob Holding, or too attacking, like Leandro Trossard or Fábio Vieira.

Weston McKennie would be the perfect fit for Arsenal should it pick up an injury in its midfield. He has the attacking talent to press forward and get involved. However, he can also lend himself to the defense. He did play a key role in helping Juventus keep so many clean sheets on either side of the World Cup.

The January transfer window is nearing its close. In the Premier League, deadline day is Jan. 31 at 11 p.m. in London. You can follow along with the deadline day updates on Peacock. Perhaps Weston McKennie will be a name Arsenal targets to solidify its title charge.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Insidefoto