Major transfer blow as Everton miss out on midfielder after tracking him for weeks
Everton misses out on Schalke 04 star Weston McKennie as the American is set to move to Juventus.
Everton midfield is the weakest part of the team and needs major surgery. A number of candidates were selected by the hierarchy which could transform the Toffees into a competitive and efficient team. Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Pirre-Emile Hojbjerg and Weston McKennie were said to be the four major midfielders being chased by Everton. The Royal Blues have now missed out on McKennie as the USMNT star is set to move to Juventus.
Schalke 04 are in some financial trouble and selling their top gems looks the only way out. Their financial struggles coupled with COVID-19 Pandemic losses stopped them from making a move permanent for Jean-Clair Todibo. The German club isn’t in the position to spend money on transfers without generating funds via player sales and loans.
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Weston McKennie is arguably their best-rising player and holds good market value. A myriad of clubs were interested in the USMNT midfielder with Everton tracking the 21 year old for weeks. Initially, there were whispers that Schalke and the Toffees may open talks for a potential player plus cash deal which would see the Toffees pay a handsome amount of cash and send Jonjoe Kenny the opposite way in exchange of McKennie.
The 21 year old had no intention to stay with the Die Knappen and was said to be thinking of taking a giant leap to a Premier League club or a top Europe club. The Toffees had been credited with considerable interest for months now.
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However, Juventus will be the side that will run away with the American prized asset. According to Sky Sports Journalist Fabrizio Romano, Juventus and Schalke 04 have agreed on a deal for Weston McKennie. The midfielder will move to Turin on a loan deal worth €3 million with the Old Lady capable of activating a purchase option for another €18 million.
Juventus are very likely to activate the option to buy next season as Andrea Pirlo plans of housing a young and dynamic team.
Blaise Matuidi has already been discarded with the same fate likely for Sami Khedira. Gonzalo Higuain will also see his contract terminate and Aaron Ramsey is also reportedly told to leave the club. Major changes are happening at Allianz Stadium this season.
Weston McKennie is a top emerging midfielder and him choosing Juventus over the likes of Everton, Hertha Berlin and AS Monaco make sense. At Juve, he will be able to learn from one of the best midfielders of his time in the form of Andrea Pirlo and also experience regular Champions League football.
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As for Everton, the transfer blow of Weston McKennie won’t hurt if Marcel Brands can get Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure transfers over the line. The Allan deal is almost done with monumental progress being made in the Doucoure file.