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Sources: West Ham open talks to sign McKennie
West Ham are working on a deal to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie – and talks have already taken place, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The Londoners face the prospect of replacing star man Declan Rice next year after he rejected multiple new contract offers.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider that McKennie, 23, is a leading target for the club and the groundwork is already being laid for a big-money deal.
Talks have taken place between the hierarchy at West Ham and Juventus over McKennie moving from Turin.
The Italian giants are believed to be open to a deal even though they only signed the central midfielder from Schalke in the summer.
Football Insider revealed on 27 September that West Ham are planning to sell Rice for £90m as they step up plans to identify replacements.
McKennie completed a move to Juventus for an initial £18m after spending the previous season on loan.
The USA international is a versatile operator who plays predominantly in central midfield but can also operate at centre-back, as he did at his former club Schalke.
He is a mainstay of the Juventus XI and made 46 appearances last season, which yielded six goals and three assists.
In the new campaign, McKennie has started three of Juve’s six Serie A matches.
He moved to Europe from MLS outfit FC Dallas in 2016 and is keen to play in the Premier League.
In other news, Premier League club set sights on signing West Ham teenager as talks held.