Peter Lynch

Wed 17 January 2024 20:10, UK

Leeds United are interested in signing KRC Genk and USA centre-back Mark McKenzie, according to Voetbal Nieuws.

The publication reported on its website on Wednesday (17 January) that the defender is also attracting interest from Brighton, West Ham and Everton.

The 24-year-old USA international, who has 13 caps for his country, has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season for 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,” according to Voetbal Nieuws.

“Genk and McKenzie had already informally discussed a contract extension last year, but nothing concrete emerged from those conversations.”

New defender incoming?

Leeds have, of course, already said goodbye to one defender in the January transfer window, with Luke Ayling joining Middlesbrough on loan.

Daniel Farke could, therefore, turn to McKenzie to bolster his defensive options, although he would not be a like-for-like replacement for Ayling given how he is a central defender.

Still, Whites supporters would not say no to another man to shore up the backline as the Elland Road club look to pile the pressure on the clubs ahead of them in the table.

Leicester City are flying high in pole position and will be very hard to catch, but Ipswich Town and Southampton in second and third respectively are capable of being tracked down.

Leeds will, however, more than likely find it difficult to land McKenzie given the reported interest from a handful of Premier League clubs.

But hope could arrive through his agent, with McKenzie’s Instagram showing he is represented by Wasserman, the same group that represents Leeds ace Crysencio Summerville.

In other Leeds United news, a billionaire-owned club is now ready to submit a “big cash” bid to sign a Whites outcast this month.

For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.