The Juventus star’s father, Weston McKennie, has taken aim at Arsenal fans who have criticized his son over transfer links.
Premier League leaders are said to be interested in the 24-year-old, who is a versatile midfielder and a reliable star in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad.
Getty
McKennie’s father took umbrage at criticism from his son, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal
However, when news of Arsenal’s interest emerged, some Gunners fans reacted by criticizing McKennie’s style of play, his apparent lack of football intelligence and his injury record.
And the star’s father couldn’t help but hit back at comments about his son, as he asked Arsenal fans: “What are you smoking?”
Hitting the pundits of the coach trying to discredit his son, John McKennie posted: “What everyone forgets is they said the same things when he went to Juve.”
In response to a fan who claimed that McKennie “is nowhere near good enough technically” to play alongside Mikel Arteta and that he doesn’t have “the positional IQ”, McKennie Snr replied: “What is “What are you smoking so I can get some!”
Other fans urged Arsenal to stay away from the star due to his injury record, to which his father replied: “It’s because he doesn’t complain about minor injuries and goes hard until he absolutely needs medical attention!
“I can appreciate a boy like this in my team.”
AFP
McKennie reportedly on Arteta’s Arsenal transfer target list amid Juventus financial troubles
McKennie’s father responded to Arsenal fans on social media
According to reports from Italian outlet Gazetta dello Sport, Arsenal have contacted McKennie’s agents to assess his desire to move to North London.
It is claimed that, despite playing regularly for Juventus, the Italian giants could decide to take advantage of the right offer.
McKennie has made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Turin giants this season, scoring three goals and two assists.
But things are not going to plan for Juventus this season, with the 36-time Serie A champions currently in tenth place amid a financial scandal that has seen them tie up 15 points.
Getty
Arteta and Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a game less against Man City, but the boss doesn’t want to miss the chance to add to his squad.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are flying high at the top of the Premier League table and it is understood that Arteta is looking to strengthen his squad for the rest of the season as they aim to win their first league title since 2004.
McKennie is one of the stars they could sign, having lost top attacking target Mykhailo Mudryk to London rivals Chelsea earlier in the January transfer window.
But the Gunners aren’t the only ones interested in the United States international either, with Aston Villa, Fulham and Bournemouth also linked with the star who played in all of his country’s games at the World Cup in Qatar.
Keep up to date with all the latest news, rumors and gossip with our live transfer blog
