Leeds United should look to beat their Premier League rivals to the signing of Juventus' Weston McKennie when the transfer window reopens in January, according to JustJoe Football Show presenter Joe Wainman.

What's the latest news involving McKennie?

The former Schalke midfielder, who joined Serie A giants Juventus last August, is fighting to save his international career after being sent home during the recent international break early due to violating Covid-19 protocols put in place by United States boss Gregg Berhalter.

It comes after McKennie was also omitted from Juventus' squad for the Turin derby against Torino in April because of going against coronavirus guidelines by hosting a party.

That did not stop McKennie being in-demand during the summer transfer window and Tottenham Hotspur were touted to be plotting a move after reports claimed a deal could be struck for less than £40million.

The 23-year-old was also offered to Burnley on transfer deadline day, but the midfielder remains on Juventus' books.

With McKennie failing to seal a move away before the transfer window closed, Aston Villa are reportedly looking to negotiate a transfer in January.

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What has Joe Wainman said about McKennie?

Leeds were linked with a host of central midfielders during the transfer window, including Lewis O'Brien and Josh Brownhill.

While they stayed at Huddersfield Town and Burnley respectively, Conor Gallagher opted to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Chelsea despite interest from Leeds.

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As a result, Whites director of football Victor Orta and boss Marcelo Bielsa failed to sign a central midfielder but former All Leeds TV host Wainman believes signing McKennie, who is valued at £22.5million by TransferMarkt, could be the perfect solution.

He told GMS: "We need an all-action box-to-box midfielder. The ones we looked at - Lewis O'Brien, Josh Brownhill and Conor Gallagher - are all in a similar sort of vein to McKennie.

"They're all a similiar sort of player and we've been playing Stuart Dallas in there at times and Mateusz Klich isn't getting any younger.

"We do need a centre midfielder and, ideally, at a decent age."

How has McKennie performed this season?

Having been forced to miss Juventus' season opener against Udinese through suspension, McKennie has made just one appearance for his current employers this term.

McKennie failed to guide the United States to Gold Cup glory after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in the final last month, but he played the full 90 minutes as the US side were held to a goalless draw against El Salvador last week.