Good Morning. It's Thursday 26th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds close in on McKennie with €28m bid International Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed that Leeds have made a €28m (£24.6m) bid for Juve midfielder Weston McKennie, £6m short of their £30m valuation. The Old Lady has crippling debts of over €250, and need to sell players, to stay afloat. Allegations of fraud, and mismanagement have left the Turin based club, with its back to the wall, with little wriggle room for maneuver. Di Marzio describes the bid as an initial offer, and feels that 'the gap seems to be bridgeable with bonuses'. It is believed that Victor Orta has a good working relationship with his Juventus counterparts, and as McKennie has already agreed to the move, a deal is not too far away. please log in to view this image McKennie or Ounahi Phil Hay has written an interesting piece this morning on who should replace Mateusz Klich - Azzedine Ounahi or Weston McKennie. Ounahi rose to prominence during last months World Cup. His performances in particular were instrumental in helping Morocco reach the Semi Finals , before being knocked out by France. The 22yo is agile, and has excellent dribbling skills and outstanding tactical awareness. He's a no nonsense tackler, despite his slim build and is difficult to disposes. One report describes him as gliding across the pitch like teflon. Following his performances in Qatar, his price tag has doubled to £20m McKennie's favourite position is at No 8, he's a box to box midfielder with a big engine. He too, goes in hard with his tackles, and will continually nip at the heels of the opposition. He likes to get forward, though he'll also track back and defend when needed. He can play anywhere in midfield. Juve want £30m for the 24yo. According to Hay "Ounahi’s value has changed markedly in the past few months, which might explain why Victor Orta, Leeds’ director of football, said in an interview with Spanish media before Christmas that the 22-year-old’s stellar performances for Morocco at the World Cup had been a surprise to many in recruitment circles, not least him. Ounahi was good but it had taken the tournament in Qatar to suggest he was that good." "Whereas Angers were talking about a fee of around £10million in the summer window, the price now would be closer to £20million, if not slightly higher. Faced with that valuation, Leeds have not progressed talks with Angers or Ounahi’s camp to an advanced stage yet." "McKennie, 24, is also someone Leeds have had a speculative eye on over the years. They considered trying to sign him while his star was rising at Schalke in Germany, although Juventus took him in 2020, on loan initially, then as part of a permanent package costing £15million." "McKennie has made 70 Serie A appearances and has further experience in the Champions League, featuring this season in a side who are possession-based and patient in their play, very different in style to Jesse Marsch’s team at Leeds. He can play box-to-box or in a deeper midfield role and, like Ounahi, Leeds see ways in which he would slot into their line-up." please log in to view this image Drameh set for Luton medical Cody Drameh is set to undergo a medical at Luton Town in the next 24 hours in a bid for first team football. The highly talented right-back has failed to break into Jesse Marsch's starting line up, but recent reports of an attitude change, have at least ensured that the 21yo has a future at Elland Road. Leeds will keep a close eye on his development at Kenilworth Road, and have booked sit down talks with him during the Summer regarding his future. Currently, he has 18 months left on his contract. Cardiff and Preston are considering a late push for the England U21 International, but may be too late. please log in to view this image
At face value the fee for mckennie seems a bit high and ounahi’s seems more reasonable. I guess mckennie is more proven over a longer period. It may be down to who fits the profile of the team better, and who they think is the lower risk in the PL. There’s always the fear that ounahi’s world cup was a bit of a one-off, likewise with mckennie there’s the question of why he’s considered surplus to requirements at juve. I like them both to be honest and would be happy with either. As for the price tags? Well it seems pretty much the going rate for a PL player these days.
Re Drameh, if he’s still 3rd choice this is the right move… Deferring a decision to the summer. I’d have preferred to extend his deal and then loaned him, but if he didn’t want to do that, it’s understandable.
Morning all. McKennie all day long for me as his style of being aggressive and on the front foot totally suits the way we play. Get it done Victor.
My worry about the Moroccan is that he shine in the WC but had previously not shown that sort of form. In some respects it’s like an athlete who all of a sudden shocks everyone with his form at the Olympics, meaning drug tests etc. not saying he was on anything but to shock every DoF takes some doing, so he may have an attitude problem? McKennie for me all day. Radz knows a lot of the people at Juve and all the previous board who had to resign, so if a deal can be done he will do it
Ounahi looked good in the world cup but his history suggests that it maybe a short term uptick in form. He's also a bit skinny looking (hear me out) and I worry about his ability to cope over here in a very physical league. We already have Roca and Aaronson who are a bit lightweight. Another one like Ounahi might just make us an even easier touch. At least we know McKennie is physically up to the challenge and the USA midfield dominated England in the group stages. Him and Adams would be a real handful together. I'd much prefer Musah from Valencia though.
I wonder if all the hype about Juve suspensions, points deductions or whatever will impact deal in any way
Morning I'd go for McKennie over Ounahi. At least we know McKennie is proven. Ounahi could be a flash in the pan. One good tournament doesn't make you the best player in the world. I understand that despite what's going on with Juve, they don't need a quick fire sale just yet. I reckon that will change when they get relegated from Serie A in the summer. I don't think it's the Barca situation just yet. Honestly, if I was Drameh I'd be booking a one-way ticket to Germany. If Dortmund wants him he's clearly got talent and the way Haaland, Bellingham, and Sancho have come on as players since joining them has been impressive.
Ounahi's form has actually been pretty good in a very poor team in France and although he's skinny (i have the same physicality doubt) he's not afraid to put himself about. That said, on reflection what probably swings it for me is McKennie's proven flexibility. He's a bit of a unit, mobile, really good off the ball and very comfortable as a DM (even played CH sometimes in the Bundesliga). But also good on the ball and very happy as a carrier and box 2 box type. My concern with our current midfield is: Roca's mobility or lack of - and what do we do if Adam's is crocked/suspended. In other words, we likely bench Roca for McKennie - but subject to other injuries/suspensions he's a genuine all round midfielder. I've just jinxed him.
Good Morning from achilly Bardsey I much prefer Wesley after he was a star for America.The Moroccan has dais he doesn't wnt to come to Leedsso send him to Bradford! What news on the young boy from Seviette and will Harrison join Leicester.Bielsa is not decided about Everton I think it will take him to long to get the players on board
As I understand the state of play is... 1) Angers wants loan back deal which we're not interested in. I think he's waiting for Napoli to come in for him in the summer. 2) The lad from Servette is signing on Saturday when he turns 18. Something about EU players can't sign for a British club until they turn 18. 3) The board doesn't want to sell Harrison to another club battling relegation however from what I understand Ajax are interested in him.
Everton chair Farhad Moshiri is intent on persuading Marcelo Bielsa to take the job despite the Argentine's reservations, having already convinced the former Leeds United manager to fly to England for talks
In stark contrast to some Leeds fans who drop their pants and get a raging hard on at the very mention of his name
