Liverpool eye loan for Tottenham top target as temporary alternative to Jude Bellingham

Liverpool are eyeing a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur target Weston McKennie in January, according to recent reports.

The Reds need midfield reinforcements and have already scanned the transfer market for more options.

The news, however, will come as a blow to Spurs, who have been eyeing a move for the Juventus midfielder for some time.

Jude Bellingham is clearly Jurgen Klopp's top priority, having dazzled with fantastic performances at Qatar 2022.

Although there have also been links to two other World Cup stars: Enzo Fernandez and Sofyan Ambrabat. However, it is likely that all three will not be available until the end of the season.

As reported by HITC,the McKennie could be targeted by Klopp as a potential stopgap option.

A loan deal would also be ideal, allowing the German manager to take a look at McKennie before deciding to sign him on a permanent deal.

Since joining from FC Schalke in 2021, the American has put in some sporadic good performances for Juventus but has failed to become a regular in Massimiliano Allegri's side.

In 91 appearances for Juve in all competitions, McKennie has scored 11 goals and provided four assists for his side, which is not exactly prolific.

This season he has made 11 Serie A appearances, scoring and assisting.

McKennie also performed well for the US national team at the World Cup, playing in all four matches as the USMNT reached the round of 16.

However, it is clear that Allegri doubts the quality of his midfield, as he has already criticized McKennie for failing to convert chances in big games.

After a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina at the start of the season, he said:

"The thing he [must] improve is that when you have a chance to lead 2-0, you have to take it. It's the key moments that decide the seasons," he said. it declared DAZN, via Goal.

"You can also miss the shot, but I didn't see any badness. You have to get used to it again, not everything is easy.

"That's it, so I'm not mad at the guys for anything. From that moment the corner and the equalizer came, which changed everything."

Although he has fallen out of favor with the Italian coach, McKennie is a strong and versatile player, who can play as a defensive midfielder, a more central number eight and has also played on the wing straight on occasion.

So for Spurs and Liverpool he would provide cover in a number of positions.

Interestingly, Liverpool would have the option of turning any loan for McKennie into a permanent transfer, as the American is expected to leave Juventus in 2023.

This is bad news for Spurs fans, however, as the club have been considering signing McKennie for several months now.

According Football.London Tottenham director of football Fabio Parataci is a huge McKennie fan and, in fact, wanted to sign Juve midfielder before Rodrigo Bentancur in January last.

However, with Liverpool now interested, it could be up to McKennie himself to decide which Premier League club he potentially joins in a month.

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