‘As of today’: Fabrizio Romano discusses Arsenal links with ‘extraordinary’ 24-year-old midfielder

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Arsenal have been linked with Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie in recent days.

According to Ben Jacobs, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are among the clubs scouting the United States star.

As well as Arsenal, the likes of Newcastle United, Leeds United and Everton are also eyeing McKennie.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with the 24-year-old since Fabio Paratici’s arrival at N17.

Jacobs, writing on Twitter, did however stress that Arsenal – and the other suitors – haven’t “advanced interest yet”.

Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on the McKennie to Arsenal reports.

The transfer insider, writing on CaughtOffside, said he was aware of speculation linking the two.

However, he said Arsenal aren’t currently working on a deal, and there haven’t been any talks.

“I’m aware that there’s been some speculation about Weston McKennie being a target for Arsenal, but I’m told there are no talks,” he said.

“We’ll see if that changes in January, but I’m also not sure he’s the type of player Mikel Arteta needs.

“They could do with someone more dynamic in the middle of the park.”

Romano also commented on the speculation later on in the article.

“Arsenal are not working on a deal for Weston McKennie as of today; then we will see in January,” he wrote.

“He was a target for Tottenham one year ago, nothing happened as Juventus never wanted to let him go on loan.”

‘Something of Gattuso’

McKennie has been a regular starter for Juventus this season, but has struggled to make a huge impact.

He has scored just once this season, and only has one assist, although he’s also capable of playing in wider roles.

Despite this, McKennie is a highly rated player who has earned praise in the past.

American legend Alexi Lalas, who has watched a lot of the midfielder over the years, lauded his ‘extraordinary‘ compatriot.

He said in an interview with Tuttosport: “He (McKennie) could be a new Gattuso, who (ex-Juve boss Andrea Pirlo) played with the original and knows how important it was for the balance of that Milan.

“McKennie has something of Gattuso, but also of Kante and Vidal. As they say here: Beauty and the Beast.

“Beauty and the beast both serve to win. And McKennie, as well as a conqueror of balls, also has excellent skills in the construction of the game. And with his head he is always dangerous on inactive balls.”

McKennie could offer cover for Thomas Partey or Granit Xhaka if he joined the Gunners.