Leeds United complete Weston McKennie loan signing from Juventus

Leeds United have completed the signing of Weston McKennie from Juventus on an initial loan deal until the end of the season, subject to a work permit.

The 24-year-old moves to Elland Road with a view to making a permanent transfer in the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of €33m (£28.9m) plus add-ons.

McKennie becomes Jesse Marsch‘s third signing of the January transfer window after the arrivals of Maximilian Wober and Georginio Rutter, the latter of whom joining for a club-record fee.

Born in the State of Washington, McKennie began his youth career with FC Phonix Otterbach and FC Dallas before moving to Germany with Schalke 04 in August 2016.

The midfielder made his professional debut less than a year later and went on to become a key player for the Bundesliga club, featuring 91 times across all competitions.

Serie A giants Juventus then snapped up McKennie on an initial loan deal in the summer of 2020 before making his move permanent for around €20.5m (£18m) a year later.

McKennie featured 29 times during an injury-hit campaign for the Turin-based outfit in 2021-22, before starting 18 of his 21 appearances this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

The box-to-box midfielder is an established USA international having represented his country 41 times in total, and he will now link up with compatriots Marsch, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams at Elland Road.

McKennie is available to make his Leeds debut when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

BREAKING NEWS: Leeds agreed to sign Premier League left-back, permanent transfer on cards

Leeds United want to sign Manchester United defender Brandon Williams

Leeds United want to sign Manchester United defender Brandon Williams this summer, according to The Independent.

The newspaper has reported on its website [01 August] that the Whites are considering a move for the Englishman to bolster their left-back options.

It is said that our fiercest rivals would prefer all of their exits to be permanent as they look to raise funds for Erik Ten Hag and his own transfer plans.

Daniel Farke is looking at all options as he looks to get Leeds back to the Premier League at the first time of asking since relegation last season.

Williams would get more first-team opportunities at Elland Road, and he did briefly work under Farke during his loan spell at Norwich City.

This would be a contentious signing given the rivalry, but it would also be one that ticks a lot of boxes at Elland Road.

Leeds have not had a real left-back in years that has consistently delivered the goods, with Ezgjan Alioski, a winger, still the best in recent memory under Marcelo Bielsa.

Williams will surely be crying out for regular football, and the chance to start most weeks and fire Leeds back to the Premier League would definitely appeal.

The defender is a hardened Red Devils fan though, and has been outspoken about rivalries in the past, so it would be interesting to see if that changes anything.

Farke has been using Sam Byram and Leo Hjelde at left-back during pre-season, and if we want promotion, a real left-back is needed, and Williams is just that.

This is certainly one to watch as we approach the new Championship season very quickly on Sunday 06 August.

Leeds is on red alert as 26-year-old could leave new club, Bielsa told Orta to sign him in 2021

Leeds should be on red alert as 26-year-old could leave new club, Bielsa told Orta to sign him in 2021 – Opinion

Ryan Kent completed a move to Fenerbahce on a free transfer from Rangers – but reports have emerged in Turkey that he could already be allowed to leave on loan despite scoring on debut, and Leeds have got to be on red alert.

Kent, 26, ended a five-year stint at Rangers in the summer to join the Turkish side. He clocked up 218 games for the Gers, having a hand in 89 goals. Scottish Premiership winner, in an unbeaten season, and a Europa League finalist.

But he needed a change and made the slightly surprising move to Turkey, with Fenerbahce. But that was on July 1. Fener have targeted new players – in the form of Cengiz Under, Lucas Ocampos and Tete, according to Fotomac.

Kent even scored on debut last week. A 5-0 win over Moldovan side Zimbru Chisinau. But now he could leave on loan, with Hull City looking to take him on loan. But as a long-term Leeds target, surely we should be on red alert?

Leeds have got to be on red alert as Ryan Kent could leave Fenerbahce

Leeds will be on the lookout for wingers. Seven are currently at the club, but three or more could go. Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison are expected to leave before the end of the month. Helder Costa an outcast, with a super agent.

Jorge Mendes is likely to find him a new home. Ian Poveda has impressed in pre-season, and he is likely to be one of four options used moving forward – along with Luis Sinisterra, Cree Summerville and returning winger Dan James.

The Sun reported in 2021 that Marcelo Bielsa had told Victor Orta to sign Kent. He has been linked subsequently in every window, but he chose Fener this summer. However, that move is already looking as though it will backfire.

Leeds need a winger, Leeds are renowned admirers of Kent and there is the chance to get the Englishman on loan. Surely, the Whites need to be weighing up an offer – if the likes of Harrison, Gnonto, Costa and more depart Leeds.