Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in a move for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie but may struggle to convince the Old Lady to part ways with the USA international.
McKennie was a product of Schalke before arriving in Turin on loan in the summer of 2020, and the Bianconeri made his stay permanent for an £18.5m fee last year.
The 23-year-old has since scored 10 goals and set up three more in 75 appearances for the Serie A giants, including four goals from 29 games in all tournaments last term.
McKennie only started 15 Serie A matches under Massimiliano Allegri in the 2021-22 season, although he was sidelined by a metatarsal fracture for nearly three months between February and May.
The former Dallas starlet is not out of contract at the Allianz Stadium for another three years, but he has been linked with an exit after failing to nail down a permanent role in Allegri's first XI.
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According to the Daily Mail, McKennie has been a long-time target of Tottenham's, who are interested in bringing the American midfielder to North London this summer.
Under normal circumstances, Juventus would supposedly be willing to do business at around the £34m mark, but Paul Pogba's recent knee injury has complicated matters.
Pogba - who returned to Juventus earlier this summer for a second time after running down his Manchester United contract - featured in a 2-0 success over Guadalajara before sustaining a meniscus lesion in training.
There are now fears that Pogba could spend as long as two months recovering from the issue, with a Juventus statement reading: "Following complaining of pain in his right knee, Paul Pogba underwent radiological examinations that revealed a lesion of the lateral meniscus.
"In the next few hours he will undergo a specialist orthopaedic consultation. Therefore, in order to continue treatment, he is not taking part in the trip to Dallas."
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As a result, Juventus could decide to keep McKennie on the books while Pogba remains out of contention, which would dent Spurs' hopes of completing a summer deal.
Pogba's injury could also have a knock-on effect on fellow midfielders Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and Arthur Melo, all of whom are also being tipped to leave in the coming weeks.
Arthur is allegedly in talks with Arsenal over a loan deal with an obligation to buy, while Rabiot is thought to be wanted by Lyon, but Ramsey's future is more uncertain.
Tottenham director Fabio Paratici was upstairs at Juventus when McKennie was signed and has already brought Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski to North London from Turin this year.
Yves Bissouma has also arrived to add competition to Spurs' midfield, joining Fraser Forster, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence, Richarlison and Ivan Perisic as part of Antonio Conte's summer transfer spree.
Ben Knapton
