By Adefunmiloye Alani

15th Dec, 2021 | 7:10pm

Leeds have watched Feyenoord defender Marcos Senesi in recent months

Leeds United have watched Feyenoord Argentine defender Marcos Senesi in recent months, according to 90min.

The 24-year-old is also on the radars of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Newcastle, while the likes of AS Roma, Napoli and Barcelona were keen on him earlier this year.

Senesi has 18 months left on his contract at the Dutch club, but he is being scouted on an almost weekly basis by suitors, and it is believed that holding on to him could prove difficult for Feyenoord.

Needed?

The South American was one of the several players linked with Leeds ahead of their return to the Premier League in the summer of 2020, but a move did not work out, with Robin Koch and Diego Llorente signed instead.

It appears the Elland Road outfit have continued to keep tabs on him since then, and with their German centre-back hardly fit since his arrival, it is only right for them to be looking at other options.

The highly-rated Senesi, who can also play at left-back, has been christened ‘The Gladiator’ by Feyenoord fans and has emerged as one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie since joining them from San Lorenzo in 2019.

Leeds are not likely to sign another centre-back in January, but a backline that has shipped 86 goals in their last 55 league games could do with such a quality and versatile defender.

The Argentine bagged the Eredivisie goal of the year in 2020-21, and his quality on the ball cannot be denied.

Italian football expert Gianluca DiMarzio called Senesi the “best central defender” in the Eredivisie last year, and he has continued to grow from strength to strength since.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites have mapped out plans to avoid relegation scrap as January transfer budget claim emerges.