Arsenal late hijack leaves them ‘more likely’ to sign €30m Leeds target despite contract being ‘accepted’

Arsenal are reportedly ‘more likely’ to sign Juventus star Weston McKennie despite Fabrizio Romano suggesting that he has “accepted” a contract from Leeds.

The USA international has regularly been linked with the Premier League over the past few months. Liverpool and Tottenham have recently been mentioned as potential suitors.

McKennie caught the eye at the World Cup, especially with his superb performance in his side’s draw against England in the group stages.

His performance in that game particularly has made a Premier League transfer more likely this month. He has been in and out of the team at Juventus this term as he has started 13 times in Serie A.

But the Italian giants are open to selling valuable assets this month after it was confirmed that they have been deducted 15 points for capital gains violations.

Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport are reporting that Arsenal and Leeds United are the ‘two new suitors’ for McKennie.

It is said that interest from Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Fulham has already been ‘rejected’ by the player. The three Premier League clubs were not considered to be ‘high-profile destinations’.

The report notes that Leeds could be left in a similar situation but McKennie’s compatriots – Jesse Marsch and Tyler Adams – ‘could change his convictions’.

Though it is still suggested that Arsenal are ‘more likely to be successful’ if their initial interest ‘turns into a concrete lunge’.

They add that Arsenal’s upward trajectory would be ‘to the liking’ of McKennie but Borussia Dortmund are also mentioned as a club interested in him.

Juventus would ‘not oppose any sale’, with their asking price set at an initial €20-25m rising to €30m with add-ons.

Arsenal are known to be in the market for a centre-midfielder. They have already signed Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior and they are also keen to bring in young right-back Ivan Fresneda.

The Gunners were linked with Youri Tielemans and Douglas Luiz in the summer but they now seem to have turned their attention to other targets.

Declan Rice is said to be a priority target ahead of the summer but they are also being linked with Moises Caicedo and Amadou Onana.

As for McKennie, Arsenal’s interest may be coming too late as a separate report from Romano states that the 24-year-old has “accepted a contract proposal” from Leeds United.

“Weston McKennie has accepted Leeds United contract proposal, personal terms are not an issue – it’s on Leeds and Juventus now,” Romano wrote via Twitter.

“The two clubs are discussing on conditions of the deal to understand how to proceed in new round of talks.”

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