Spaghetti Weston: McKennie at Juventus

https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/calciomercato-fiorentina-mckennie-news-6-agosto-2024

Di Marzio's full report states a more of the same story: Fiorentina are interested in Weston, but the salary they're able to offer Weston necessitates Juve chipping in. Negotiations will start soon.

 

that was basically the point of my post to the argument that we should discount WM's assist numbers because they were so much higher than expected assists.

 

Without insulting McKennie, he isn't good enough for Atleti. They're a Top 3 side in La Liga, and would be a Top 3 side in the EPL. They're like, really, really good, especially after they added the pieces they added this transfer window [Alvarez/Sorloth/Gallagher/Le Normand]; again, it isn't an insult to state that McKennie isn't "Atleti quality."

Valencia have decided that they don't have the ambition to spend money, and/or are content to merely be mid-table types, rather than a club that contends for Europe, as they should be. Otherwise, Valencia would be a nice fit for him.

Sevilla should also be a Europe-contending side, as they're a big enough club, but they've got a mismatched group of too young and too old in their roster. Otherwise, Sevilla would likewise be a nice fit for him.

 

There are also non EU-player limits in Spain, which adds an extra wrinkle for Wes. If a club in La Liga really wanted him, they could make it happen, but it's not an insignificant hurdle.

 

I wonder if Wes is close to eligibility for EU citizenship? He's lived in EU countries for a long time. That said, he's at a level where if a team isn't willing to use a non-EU spot on him, he should not go.

 

Fiorentina want you but Juve don't mind if you leave?

Leave Juve

 

When they say "Juve has given the green light" they are omitting "for a transfer fee or as part of a swap deal for Nico Gonzalez" and its worth noting that most Fiorentina journos say that Fiorentina are not interested in a swap deal, they'd prefer cash.

So we're in the same position as before: does Fiorentina give Weston a bigger contract despite a transfer fee OR can Weston convince Juve to pay him a severance package OR can Fiorentina convince Juve to sell Wes for a significant discount?

 

BREAKING: Aaron Boupendza's time with FC Cincinnati is over, sources say.

Cincy will have an open DP spot. pic.twitter.com/e9yesXxlkp

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) August 8, 2024

If the FCC interest was legit, they might have a path forward now that Boupendza is out. MLS secondary transfer window closes on August 14th, so the deal would have to come together quickly.

 

I don't think it will happen, but if FCC offers around 10-12m to Juve and could pay Wes what he requires...

 

I'm not sure this will make "Wes to FCC" any more likely, but at the very least, FCC did not have to buy him out of his contract:

Major League Soccer has terminated the contract of FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza. https://t.co/9rY7FOuBlG

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) August 8, 2024

 

I thought Boupendza had quietly quit already.

 

I think this is more-or-less right. The alleged reason for termination is that he, "didn't fulfill his contractual obligations", although these are attributed to unnamed sources.

 

Florence or Cincinnati .... gee I think I know which place I would rather play in ....

hope it works out as a nice compromise for all parties ... like always - day by day Juve's investment is depreciating ... tick tock tick tock ....

 

Florence doesn't have chili with cinnamon , spaghetti,onions and cheese.
Plus no Hell is Real rivalry.
So it's not even close is it?

 

Pure insanity that Wes can't get more transfer despite his solid performances last season.

 

That’s the thing, it was one season bordering on excellence and even then Juve still deems him a guy they can live without. Not too surprising it’s taking this long.

 

it is a beautiful city ....



or

 

I'll preface this with I believe Connor Gallagher is a better player than Wes but not by too much. Connor Gallagher getting 40m for him in his final year yet no one seems to be willing to pay 15m for Wes?

Like Wes, Gallagher wanted to stay but Chelsea has been pretty open that he needed to go. So it can't be because of that.

 

Gallagher twice rejected a new contract that would've paid him significantly more. However, it was only a 2 year deal with option for a 3rd, so Chelsea wasn't showing much faith in him for the long term.

 

Wes performance at Leeds.

 

I think the prevailing view here is a bit fatalistic.

If Wes doesn’t move he’s too expensive for the board to feel they get nothing out of him. Motta saying he is not in his plans could be true but also is to help force a deal. Once injuries happen or production is low he’ll look silly pretty quickly for not considering the team assist leader from last season.

it’s not like Wes did anything wrong, he’s well liked in the team from all accounts and played pretty well last year - not Juve’s weakest link by any means.

he can wait this out, fight for playing time, likely get just as much, if not more salary as a free agent and go where he pleases.

No way Juve lets him just rot for a year.

 

I’m not sure this is always the case. For superstars…sure. For players of Wes’ ability and stature? I am a bit more dubious. Yes he can sign a pre-contract beginning in January….but my perception is the overwhelming majority of clubs aren’t thinking about next season until the summer. In the summer…unless there are multiple clubs offering Wes what his salary demands are…the clubs can easily wait Wes out. Missing preseason training is a pretty big deal…

Wes is as likely to end up in Brook’s situation as he is to land the contract he’s looking for…particularly if he doesn’t end up getting any time this fall and nobody bites in the January window.

 

He might have gotten feedback that the big MLS salary is far more likely if no transfer fee will be involved. I have no problems with Wes seemingly content to see out his contract. It's what I wish Reyna would have done.