Juventus have been left worried by the sacking of Jesse Marsch as Leeds United head coach.
That’s according to a report from Juve Live, who say the Italian side are now concerned the Elland Road club will not take up the option to buy included in Weston McKennie’s loan deal.
McKennie joined Leeds late in the January transfer window, arriving from Juventus on loan, with the Premier League side holding an option to buy for a reported €33million in the summer.
The American then made his debut for Leeds on Sunday, coming off the bench as a 57th minute substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at The City Ground.
But with that defeat leaving Leeds winless in seven league games, and 17th in the table, only outside the relegation zone on goal difference, that proved to be Marsch’s last game in charge of the club.
Now it seems as though that has sparked some concern at McKennie’s parent club Juventus.
According to this latest update, Juve are concerned this change in manager, may mean Leeds elect not to take up the option to buy McKennie.
It is thought Marsch’s departure puts funds available to Leeds at risk, which could seemingly impact their ability to afford the permanent signing of the midfielder.
This feels like something of a strange concern for Juventus to have in all honesty.
Right now, McKennie looks to be one of the most established and high quality players on the books at Leeds, meaning they would surely want him long term, regardless of who the manager is.
However, relegation – which was beginning to look a distinct possibility under Marsch – would have meant Leeds simply would not have been able to afford this deal.
As a result, it could be argued that, provided they get this next appointment right, the change in head coach could actually increase the chances of the move being made permanent.