According to a recent report by the Sun, Liverpool are lining up a £20m move to secure the services of FC Schalke 04 midfielder Weston McKennie during this January transfer period or when the transfer window reopens in the summer. The same report has also revealed that Liverpool have sent scouts to catch the United States international in action for the Bundesliga outfit over the past couple of seasons.
McKennie has already put in some commanding displays in midfield and has been one of the stars for Domenico Tedesco’s side during this campaign. The 20-year-old has featured in 19 matches for the German team this term, scoring two goals while grabbing two assists in all competitions.
The Bundesliga sensation grew up playing football back in his homeland for Dallas Juniors before sealing a switch to Schalke in the summer of 2016. He featured for the German outfit’s Under-19 side for a season before breaking into the club’s first-team back in the 2017-18 campaign.
The talented midfielder has also represented his nation at various youth levels and is now an integral part of the US Men’s National Soccer Team. He has earned seven caps at the international level and has one goal to his name so far.
McKennie is versatile enough to play as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced role at the centre of the park. He has started adding goals and assists to his game and has vast potential for improvement.
The addition of the US International will undoubtedly bolster Klopp’s midfield options at the Merseyside club. However, the Reds currently have a plethora of options in midfield with the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all fighting for a spot in Klopp’s senior team. Hence, it is difficult to see Liverpool go for another midfielder in the transfer market without selling one of their current assets first.
Having said that, McKinnie has a lot of potential and so securing his services in the hopes of a developing a world-class prospect in a few years time should be enough reason for the Merseyside outfit to land him in the near future.
