Arsenal are long-term admirers of a midfielder who previously admitted he wasn’t fit enough to play his best football in the Premier League.
Having failed in their pursuit to sign Benjamin Sesko, it seems as if Edu will concentrate the majority of Arsenal’s efforts on signing a midfielder.
Sesko’s potential availability was seen as a market opportunity, rather than a priority signing Mikel Arteta couldn’t live without.
And unless another one of the strikers on Arsenal’s shortlist becomes available in near future, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remained in place for next season.
That being said, the pair will likely enjoy a new face playing behind them, either as a number eight or six.
That decision will likely depend on plans with Declan Rice, who Arteta used in multiple roles last season.
Perhaps the perfect scenario is finding a versatile midfielder who can also do both, allowing Arteta the tactical flexibility he craves.
Arsenal have long-standing interest in Weston McKennie who was relegated with Leeds
To that end, The Telegraph have now reported Arsenal’s long-standing interest in former Leeds United midfielder Weston McKennie.
25-year-old McKennie played 20 times for Leeds in the Premier League in the second half of the 2022/23 season, but ultimately failed in his bid to help Jesse Marsch’s side stay up.
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Nonetheless, £21m-rated McKennie returned to Juventus to enjoy a strong individual campaign last season, making 38 appearances and providing 10 assists.
And according to the report mentioned, both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been keeping tabs on McKennie’s progress for some time.
Of course, McKennie is currently embroiled in negotiations with Aston Villa according to reports.
The USMNT midfielder could be used in a swap deal to see former Arsenal target Douglas Luiz head to Turin.
And given that deal is now stalling, the door could be open for other Premier League clubs to make a move.
McKennie admitted he wasn’t fit enough during time at Leeds
Remarkably, when reflecting on his time in England, McKennie has since admitted that he wasn’t fit enough to show his best levels.
McKennie arrived on loan in January 2023 to Leeds and struggled to make the transition from Italian football.
He said: “I’m not one to make excuses at all, but I don’t think my physical fitness was the best because I was so used to being at Juventus and playing every three days.
“Game fitness is so different to training fitness for me. I become game fit by playing games, and you can’t replicate that in training, you can try, but I can’t do that.
“Playing one game a week, I didn’t feel I was in the best shape in terms of being able to last a 90-minute game.”
Of course, should Arsenal ever make a move they’d be in a strong position to judge whether those fitness fears still exist.
But if all else fails, McKennie could be an interesting option for Arsenal, a player with a point to prove in England.
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