Towards the end of the January transfer window, there was a flurry of activity at Leeds United, when Jesse Marsch was still in charge.
The American manager was fighting against relegation with the Elland Road side, and the belief was certain reinforcements were needed, which is why a loan for Weston McKennie was organised.
The deal included an option to buy him, with the belief it would be triggered if Leeds stayed up, but that now looks unlikely and a return to Juventus is expected, as analysed by Tuttosport on Friday.
That’s because he’s quite happy in Italy, and settled in well in the dressing room despite not being able to perform under Max Allegri.
This led to the Leeds loan, which ‘could have been good for him’, but they point out the USA international ‘only exaggerated the midfielder’s struggles’.
McKennie simply ‘wasn’t ready to put on a helmet and fight for safety’, which is a goal that ‘now seems to have definitively faded’, with his current club 19th in the Premier League, two points from safety with a game to go.
Therefore, a potential €35m transfer will not be taking place, leaving Juventus with a problem to solve if they no longer want the midfielder in their squad next season.
