Tottenham has reportedly rekindled their interest in a top Juventus midfielder ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
Sporting director Fabio Paratici has been chasing talented USA international Weston McKennie since his arrival at the north London club back in June 2021, charged with identifying top talent to bring in.
And with the January window edging closer, both Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato claim Tottenham are ready to swoop for McKennie for what could be a bargain price.
Juve are said to be considering selling McKennie for what would be a bargain £20million in the new year.
It’s reported that if McKennie fails to impress for Juve over the next few months then they could look to ‘sacrifice him’.
And Italian journalist Enrico De Lellis told CMIT TV on Thursday that Paratici is closely following the player.
Juventus are looking to raise funds to sign loanee Leandro Paredes, who would cost around £19million. So from that point of view, it makes sense that they would not ask for huge money for McKennie.
The USA star would immediately give more dynamism to a somewhat one-paced Tottenham midfield. Indeed, that midfield was badly exposed in recent defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United.
In the absence of injured duo Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, Antonio Conte opted to move away from his normal 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford in favour of a 3-5-2 to pack the midfield.
Bissouma still to find his feet
Yves Bissouma was joined by regular starters Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrio Bentancur in the engine. But after a bright opening 10 minutes the trio were completely dominated by Fred, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
That led to Conte claiming that his side struggle to cope with teams that play with a higher intensity, hence the need to bring in more athletic players with a turn of speed that can get around the pitch quicker.
McKennie is described as a box-to-box midfielder who is all-energy. And while it would be potentially harsh to drop either Hojbjerg or Bentancur, they are very one-paced.
Conte has not been helped by Bissouma not being able to find the form in which he excelled at Brighton.
The Mali international has not looked the same player and Conte has previously admitted Bissouma is struggling tactically.
However, if Tottenham cannot find a way to make the 26-year-old one of the most dominant midfielders in the Premier League then that is a major fail on their part.
Bissouma certainly evolved into that at Brighton and it’s a mystery why his form has not translated at Spurs.
Conte’s men are back in action on Sunday when they host in-form Newcastle. And Eddie Howe’s men can close the gap to two points with a win in north London.
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