Leeds United may be less likely to make a move for Juventus and United States midfielder Weston McKennie if Jesse Marsch is sacked before the January transfer window.
That is according to journalist Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest transfer news at Elland Road.
According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs, Leeds are among several Premier League clubs who have scouted Juventus’ McKennie, described as “impressive” by journalist Ives Galarcep, ahead of a potential January move.
The club have already brought in a number of United States internationals to the club this summer, including Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams – both of whom have worked under Marsch before at RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig respectively.
And Jones believes that the links to McKennie will be based around the fact that the current head coach is American – and a move is perhaps ‘less likely’ if Marsch is to be relieved of his duties.
Speaking prior to Leeds’ victory over Liverpool, he said: “I think a lot of the McKennie stuff will be based around the fact that Jesse Marsch is American and all the links that come with that.
“So if Jesse Marsch isn’t there, it’s probably less likely.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…
We don’t envisage a situation in which McKennie signs for Leeds unless Marsch is still head coach come the January transfer window.
The Whites had never had a particular connection with signing American players before Marsch’s arrival at the club, so it seems unlikely that this would continue if he was to be sacked amid the growing pressure on his job and the club still in the lower sections of the Premier League.
Therefore, despite this weekend’s shock win, we do agree with Jones and feel that McKennie would be more likely to look to sign elsewhere if Marsch isn’t at the club by the time he leaves Juventus.
That could have a negative knock-on effect, as if the club remain in trouble in the weeks following the World Cup, being able to punch above their weight in the transfer market due to Marsch’s American influence may yet come in handy.