Voetbal Nieuws reports that Leeds United are interested in signing KRC Genk and USA centre-back Mark McKenzie
On Wednesday (17 January), the tabloid said on its website that Brighton, West Ham, and Everton are also interested in the defender.
The 24-year-old USA international, who has 13 caps for his country, has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season with Genk.
“McKenzie will enter the final year of his contract with Genk next season, and the club certainly wants to keep him until the summer,” a source told Voetbal Nieuws.
“Genk and McKenzie had already informally discussed a contract extension last year, but nothing concrete emerged from those conversations.”
Is a new defender on the way?
Leeds have already lost one defender in the January transfer window, with Luke Ayling moving to Middlesbrough on loan.
Daniel Farke may therefore look to McKenzie to improve his defensive options, albeit he would not be a direct replacement for Ayling because he is a center defender.
Still, Whites fans would not turn down another guy to shore up the backline as the Elland Road club seeks to add pressure on the teams ahead of them in the table.
Leicester City are flying high in pole position and will be difficult to catch, but Ipswich Town and Southampton, in second and third place, can be trailed down.
Given the alleged interest from a couple of Premier League clubs, Leeds will most likely struggle to sign McKenzie.
But optimism may come through his agency, as McKenzie’s Instagram page shows he is represented by Wasserman, the same firm that represents Leeds star Crysencio Summerville.
In other Leeds United news, a billionaire-owned club is preparing to make a “big cash” offer to sign a Whites outcast this month.
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