Tim Ream claims there was a ‘slight chance’ of Weston McKennie nearly joining him and Antonee Robinson as part of ‘Fulhamerica’ instead of Leeds
U.S. defender Tim Ream claims Weston McKennie came so close to nearly joining him and left-back Antonee Robinson as part of ‘Fulhamerica’ instead of Leeds, with transfer talks held in London in January.
The USMNT midfielder, 24, followed fellow countrymen Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson through the door at Elland Road after signing with the West Yorkshire club on loan from Juventus.
Things could’ve ended up differently for the former Schalke man, however, as his agent held talks with other interested Premier League clubs.
‘Just a slight chance, yeah,’ Ream said of McKennie’s chances of ending up at Craven Cottage on his Indirect Podcast. ‘It could’ve been a different three Americans rather than Weston, Tyler and Brenden up there.’
‘There was a bit of chatter, a bit of back and forth, from what I understand. There was some contact made after the rumour came out that Leeds were going to contact him. Fulham contacted his agent I believe. Not sure it went further than that.’
U.S. defender Tim Ream says Weston McKennie came close to signing with Fulham in January
Ream and McKennie both played and started for the USMNT at the winter World Cup in Qatar
‘I know that from having conversations with our management that they like Wes as a player, they just weren’t sure he’d be within their range to make a move for him.’
Ream went on to add that other teams came into the mix for McKennie’s signature once Leeds officialized their interest in the player.
‘When everyone found out Leeds were in play, other teams were interested. I don’t think it was just Fulham. It would’ve been cool to have another American.’
Leeds can go on and permanently sign McKennie from Juventus in the summer if the Whites are able to survive the course of another relegation scrap at the bottom of the Premier League table.
The player’s arrival at Elland Road also came just days after the Whites parted ways with its American coach Jesse Marsch, who was influential in convincing McKennie to join the team in the first place.
The American midfielder will now look to kick on after losing 2-0 against Manchester United at the weekend, while Ream, Robinson and Fulham will look forward to yet another win against Brighton after having beaten Nottingham Forest 2-0.
The Cottagers are flying high in the Premier League table this season, currently sitting in eighth place.
McKennie is in a relegation scrap with Leeds instead of flying high in the Premier League table