Despite initial speculation that United States international Weston McKennie would be leaving Juventus this summer, it seems that he could actually stay with the club for the upcoming Serie A season. According to a source, McKennie is set to train with the first-team ahead of Monday’s Serie A opener against Como, indicating that manager Thiago Motta may have had a change of heart.
Following discussions with manager Thiago Motta, McKennie has been included in the first-team squad for their match on Monday. This comes after McKennie was left out of Juventus’ squad for their final two preseason matches against Brest and Atlético Madrid, along with Wojciech Szczęsny and Federico Chiesa. Motta had previously stated that those omitted from the squad were “not part of the project” and needed to find new clubs. However, it seems that McKennie’s situation has taken a different turn.
Initially, it was reported that McKennie was close to a move to Fiorentina, with other clubs such as Aston Villa and Everton also expressing interest in the midfielder. There were rumors of potential moves to the Bundesliga or even MLS. However, with the latest developments at Juventus, it seems that McKennie’s future may lie with the Serie A giants for now.
McKennie, who has represented the USMNT on 56 occasions, had a successful season with Juventus last year, featuring in 34 Serie A matches. He also started in all three of the USMNT’s Copa América group stage games. His versatility and work rate have made him a valuable asset for both club and country, garnering interest from various teams across Europe and beyond.
Weston McKennie’s potential return to the Juventus first-team is a surprising twist in what seemed like an inevitable departure. His presence could provide a significant boost to the team as they prepare for the upcoming Serie A season. Only time will tell whether McKennie will remain with Juventus or if a last-minute transfer could still be on the cards.