Juventus ‘reject’ Spurs swap deal offer for Prem-linked midfielder

Jason Soutar
Juventus midfielders Weston McKennie and Adrian Rabiot

Juventus have turned down a swap deal offer from Tottenham for Weston McKennie, according to reports.

The USA midfielder initially joined the Old Lady from Schalke in 2020 and has made over 60 appearances for the Serie A giants.

He has played 19 times this term, and is becoming an important player under Massimiliano Allegri.

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Premier League trio Spurs, Leeds and West Ham have all been linked with McKennie in recent months.

However, the north Londoners are the first team to make a move, offering out-of-favour midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in exchange for the 23-year-old, according to Calciomercato (via Inside Futbol).

Juventus have reportedly rejected this offer as they are ‘not keen’ on signing the former Lyon man due to his wage demands.

The report adds that Juve will listen to swap deal offers for McKennie, but only ‘if it makes sense to the club this month’.

Ndombele has struggled since his move to England in 2019. Spurs spent over £50m to sign the Frenchman from Lyon.

He has featured over 60 times in the Premier League but has often been criticised for his laid back style of play as well as his fitness issues.

Following a shock Europa Conference League loss to NS Mura in November, ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara insisted Ndombele “shouldn’t wear a Spurs shirt again”.

O’Hara called out four “shocking” players specifically who were not good enough.

“These are a Slovenian top-flight side that I would expect a National League side to give a game,” he said.

“It has been a disgrace and some of the players – and I’ll name them as well – (Matt) Doherty, Ndombele, Dele Alli, Davinson Sanchez were absolutely shocking, they shouldn’t wear a Spurs shirt again some of them in my opinion.

“It was a shocking performance. These players are strolling around the park like they’re dismissing this game as if they think they’re too good to play in it.

“It was an absolute disgrace from some of them – and if Conte doesn’t make big changes – get them out of the club, get ride of them, get them off the wage bill – we don’t want them, it was pathetic.”

Tottenham Hotspur Tanguy Ndombele