Tottenham ‘settle on price to pay’ for January target Weston McKennie

Tottenham are reportedly prepared to pay £26.1million for Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie as Antonio Conte looks to add to his midfield. The American international is a favourite of Spurs managing director Fabio Patatici, with the Italian initially bringing the player to the Serie A while he was in the same role with the Old Lady. Tottenham are believed to be on the hunt for additional options in midfield given the intense criticism faced by their current players in recent matches. The club are crying out for someone who can offer more attacking presence from the centre of the park after Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were left isolated in the defeats against Manchester United and Newcastle, with the side offering little going forward as a result. There are hopes that McKennie could potentially help provide this. The 24-year-old has scored 13 goals and contributed further four assists since arriving at Juve from Schalke in 2020 – a comparatively better record than Spurs’ current main midfield options Yves Bissouma, Pierre-Emilie Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur. Now, Italian publication TuttoSport reports that the Lilywhites would be willing to offer £26.1m for the American international who is known to be a favourite of Paratici. The Spurs’ managing director signed McKennie while he was transfer chief at the Italian giants and could be set to repeat the feat again. READ MORE: Redknapp laughed at after Ferdinand argument about Tottenham’s Lloris Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici is known to be a fan of Juventus star Weston McKennie (Image: GETTY)However, Tottenham will face competition for his signature with Arsenal, Newcastle, Leeds and Everton also reported to be monitoring the player. He is also an important player in Turin, having started the vast majority of Juventus’ games this season and scoring in his last two appearances against Benfica and Empoli.As a result, the Old Lady may be reluctant to allow him to leave given their own dire performances so far this season. McKennie has been previously been backed to play in the Premier League by fellow American and former Bolton star Stuart Holden, who also sees Spurs as a good fit. DON’T MISS Man Utd can complete rebuild in January with three signingsMaguire tipped to trigger Man Utd dressing room revoltTen Hag makes £40m transfer decision at Man Utd Tottenham are reportedly prepared to pay £26.1m for Juventus star Weston McKennie (Image: GETTY)’I’ve always thought with Weston McKennie that he has the skills set and the physical profile to play in the Premier League,’ Holden told Bonus Finder last year. ‘Having played in the Premier League myself and understanding the physical rigours, the day-to-day type of grind, and what it takes at that type of pace and power, Weston McKennie has that for sure.’He has great skill sets as well on the ball, the timing of his runs is very good, and he’s a really a true box-to-box midfielder, and I can see him playing in a Premier League team like Tottenham.’WIN A FREE ENGLAND SHIRT FOR THE WORLD CUP!Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our new Facebook group by clicking here