Juventus Faces Valuation Stalemate with Weston McKennie Amid Growing Interest

omidbasir- The core issue revolves around a significant valuation disparity between Weston McKennie’s representatives and the Juventus management. Currently, McKennie earns a base salary estimated between €2.5 million and €3 million per season, augmented by easily achievable bonuses. Following a series of impressive performances, his entourage is pushing to double this figure, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. While the Juventus hierarchy is willing to offer a pay raise to acknowledge his contributions, they have yet to agree to the full demands of his agents, resulting in a protracted stalemate that has persisted for nearly 18 months.

Despite the financial discord, there is an underlying optimism at the Continassa training facility. McKennie has consistently expressed his affection for the club, and the arrival of Luciano Spalletti has significantly impacted his outlook. Recently, McKennie’s father, John McKennie, praised the current environment, noting that his son has never felt happier in his football career, attributing this positive change to Spalletti’s influence. This emotional connection to the club and its manager serves as a critical leverage point in negotiations, which have grown increasingly urgent following the extension of Kenan Yildiz.

On the field, McKennie’s significance has never been more apparent. Under Spalletti’s guidance, the American midfielder has demonstrated impressive tactical versatility, capable of excelling in various roles, from box-to-box midfielder to advanced playmaker. His contributions are reflected in his statistics, as he provided two assists during a recent Derby d’Italia defeat to Inter, contributing to goals by Andrea Cambiaso and Manuel Locatelli. Currently, he boasts four assists and four goals in Serie A, along with three goals in the Champions League.

With McKennie’s contract expiring in June, rival clubs across Europe and North America have taken notice. As a prominent figure in U.S. soccer, he holds significant market value in the United States; however, interest from nearby clubs poses a more immediate threat to Juventus’s plans. Reports indicate that AC Milan is closely monitoring the situation, eager to pair McKennie with compatriot Christian Pulisic at San Siro.

In light of the swirling rumors regarding a potential move to Major League Soccer or a domestic competitor, McKennie’s agent, Cory Gibbs, has had to publicly defend his client’s position against what he labeled as “lies and propaganda.” Gibbs took to social media to refute claims of a communication breakdown over agent commissions, stating: “I normally don’t respond to social media posts, but when false information is being spread, especially from verified handles, I have to intervene. This is Weston’s agent, and I can confirm everything below is FALSE. Know your facts before spreading lies and propaganda.”

For Juventus, the objective is clear: reach a compromise before the summer transfer window opens, preventing the potential scenario of McKennie entering free agency. McKennie has shown remarkable resilience in Turin, having survived multiple transfer windows where he appeared destined for departure. Now regarded as an “untouchable” by the coaching staff, the remaining question is whether the club’s financial executives can align with the ambitions of McKennie’s representatives to retain the U.S. Men’s National Team star in their ranks for years to come.