Juventus and Roma weigh up McKennie & Cristante swap
Juventus and Roma are negotiating a potential swap deal for Weston McKennie and Bryan Cristante, the Italian press are reporting, with both clubs looking to gain something from the transfer.
According to what has been reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport, via Goal, Juventus want to avoid losing McKennie on a free next summer and could therefore look to bring in experienced midfielder Cristante to plug the gap left by the American.
epa11824638 Juventus’s ‘and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 14 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA
What’s in it for both clubs as McKennie-Cristante swap proposed?
At 30, Cristante is four years older than his American counterpart. However, the reports suggest that Juventus are trying to make a concerted effort to increase the ‘Italianness’ of the club. The Bianconeri wish to increase the number of Italian players at the club and former Atalanta man Cristante has a lot of experience, both on and off the pitch, that he could bring to the club.
Weston McKennie of Juventus scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Juventus and Manchester City at Juventus Stadium on December 11, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Giallorossi receive a player entering the prime years of his career. Although his spell at Juventus has been up-and-down, it is worthwhile noting that before sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli left the Bianconeri, McKennie was very close to signing a new deal. However, reported demands from the player’s representatives made it difficult for the Old Lady to agree and thus the situation emerged that we find ourselves in now.
