Leeds are set to finalise an initial loan move for Weston McKennie, with the USA midfielder completing his medical on Monday before his anticipated arrival from Juventus.
Jesse Marsch has been searching for midfield reinforcements after completing the signing of the France Under-21 striker Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim in a club-record deal, and was linked with a move for Morocco’s World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi earlier in the window.
Ounahi has joined Marseille but McKennie – the versatile midfielder who joined Juventus on a permanent deal from Schalke in 2021 – has agreed personal terms for a switch to Elland Road for an initial loan fee of €1.2m (£1.1m) with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for €33m, potentially rising to €40m including bonuses.
Leeds, who signed Max Wöber from Red Bull Salzburg at the start of the month, look set to allow Diego Llorente to join Roma on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the deal permanent.
That move will give the green light for Bournemouth to complete an initial loan move with a €15m buy option clause for Roma’s Uruguay defender Matías Viña.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace are poised to sign Naouirou Ahamada for €12m from Stuttgart, with the French midfielder having agreed personal terms and expected for a medical.
Talks between Nottingham Forest and Atlético Madrid over a permanent transfer for Brazil defender Felipe are ongoing and Forest are in line to make Jonjo Shelvey their 25th signing of the season after offering the former England midfielder a two-and-a-half-year deal to join from Newcastle.
Yasin Ayari is set to be confirmed as a Brighton player after a €6m fee was agreed with AIK. The 19-year-old Sweden international’s contract runs until June 2027.
Spurs hit disagreement over Porro deal
Tottenham’s pursuit of Pedro Porro has been complicated by a disagreement over the associated costs of the deal. Spurs have offered €45m for the Sporting right-back, which equates to the value of his buyout clause, but the Portuguese club say there are additional costs under the terms of the player’s contract.
Those relate to solidarity payments to Porro’s previous clubs – believed to be up to 5% of the fee. Talks will continue, with Sporting determined to hold firm. David Hytner
