Aston Villa have ‘had a call’ with the representative of midfielder Weston McKennie over a potential transfer, journalist Fabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport.
The USA international will reportedly be allowed to leave Juventus this month if a suitable offer arrives for him, and Villa Park has been touted as a potential landing spot.
Aston Villa transfer news – Weston McKennie
Italian journalist Numero Diez interviewed Gazzetta dello Sport reporter Carlo Laudisa recently, and he stated that the Midlands outfit have already made contact over a possible move for McKennie.
“(Juventus doing business) will depend on the eventual exit of McKennie, the only player for sale,” Diez said. “There are contacts with the Premier League, with Aston Villa in particular and we’ll see.”
CalcioMercato have reported that fellow Premier League side Bournemouth are also eager to snap up the 24-year-old, though, as they look to edge away from the relegation zone.
It’s believed that Juventus value McKennie in the region of €35 million (£30.7m) and €40 million (£35m), although Jones transfer insider Dean Jones believes he could be available for around £20m.
The box-to-box star has racked up 17 goal contributions in 93 appearances for the Old Lady, winning one Italian Cup during his two-and-a-half-year stint at the club.
What has Romano said about McKennie?
New Villa manager Unai Emery has already made his first acquisition of January, bringing in left-back Alex Moreno from Real Betis.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
And Romano has informed GMS that they have already explored the ‘conditions’ of a potential deal for McKennie.
He said: “At the moment, from what I'm told, they just had a call. It was two weeks ago to explore the conditions of the deal with people close to the player.”
Who else could Villa sign?
McKennie is not the only engine room operator on Villa’s radar, with Emery also said to be keen on a reunion with Olympique Marseille’s Matteo Guendouzi.
CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed that Marseille are set to demand €50 million (£44m) for the former Arsenal ace despite only signing him for €11m (£9.7m) in the summer.
However, it’s claimed that Villa are only planning on making an initial offer worth between €25m (£22m) and €30m (£26.5m) for Guendouzi’s services.
Only time will tell whether Villa prioritise the France international or McKennie, but it’s unlikely that Emery will be able to snap up both players this month.