How Juventus plan to avoid losing McKennie in low-cost summer transfer | OneFootball

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus are planning to sit down for a new round of contract talks with versatile USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie in order to avoid a situation where he could leave the club for a low-cost fee during the summer transfer window.

McKennie has made 40 appearances across all competitions this season, and has featured in almost every outfield position on the pitch in 2024-25, from his regular spot in central midfield, to a more advanced trequartista or false nine role, and at both sides of wing-back at various stages of the 2024-25 campaign.

He is also currently Juventus’s longest serving outfield player: Only Mattia Perin and Carlo Pinsoglio have been at the club longer. And, the American has made more appearances than any other player in the current Juventus squad apart from Manuel Locatelli.

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Weston McKennie celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Juventus and PSV at Allianz Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

However, his contract is due to expire in the summer of 2026, which means that he will be entering the final year of his deal by the time the summer transfer window rolls around.

Juventus preparing new contract extension for McKennie

In order to avoid a situation where McKennie could leave the club for a fee below his true value, the Bianconeri are planning to iron out the final details of a new contract over the next few days, according to reports from Calciomercato.com.

epa11889200 Weston McKennie (L) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Champions League play-offs first leg soccer match between Juventus FC and PSV Eindhoven, in Turin, Italy, 11 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO

In order to convince him to stay, Juventus are reportedly prepared to offer an increase in wages, which could see him earn around €3m net per season, up from the €2.5m wage packet on his current deal.

Saturday’s report claims that the final details of a new contract agreement could be sorted at the beginning of next week.

It is a particularly impressive comeback for McKennie at Juventus, given that there were exit rumours in the summer of 2022, which saw him move on loan to Leeds United in 2023.

Juventus had also looked at moving the 26-year-old on in the summers of 2023 and 2024 as well, but the versatile midfielder is now considered one of the most reliable members of the current squad.