Leeds set sights on £8.5 million ‘Rolls Royce’ defender who ‘nobody could outrun’
According to reports, Leeds United has their sights set on US defender Mark McKenzie of Genk.It’s reported that the Whites will be searching for defensive reinforcements during the January transfer window.
This month, Leeds let go of Luke Ayling and Djed Spence, and Charlie Cresswell is drawing interest from other teams.
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In light of this, a number of defenders are currently being connected to Leeds, and McKenzie is among the most recent names to surface.
Leeds has joined Premier League teams Brighton, Everton and West Ham United in their pursuit of the 24-year-old, according to Voetbal Nieuws.
McKenzie has 18 months left on his Genk deal, so even though his team doesn’t want to let him go in January, a transfer isn’t completely out of the question.
A price tag of more than €10 million (£8.5 million) has been mentioned.
The story also makes it apparent that McKenzie’s signature will face stiff resistance from Genk’s football department.
He said to Het Laatste Nieuws in November, as reported by VN, “I want to be clear, we want to keep this core together and not let anyone go.”
Everywhere there are exceptions, there is always a chance of accepting an offer that can’t be turned down. However, we’re going to make things really challenging.
Leeds United target Mark McKenzie is a ‘fantastic athlete’
At Genk, McKenzie has developed into a gifted defender who is seemingly prepared for a move across the channel.
Before, Iain Munro, who coworked with McKenzie at the Philadelphia Union academy, spoke the defender’s virtues for £8.5 million.
“Mark is a gifted child,” the Daily Record cited him as saying in 2020.
When he first entered the academy, his exceptional speed and athleticism were evident. No one could outrun him.
“Every day he becomes better and better. He is an excellent athlete and a bright youngster. He’s a great listener and a great coach.
“People like Pulisic and (Zack) Steffen have excelled in the academy and achieved great success for themselves.
“Mark is a Rolls-Royce of a player and can continue to play at a high level.”
Before making a significant transfer across the pond to the Belgian top flight with Genk in 2021, McKenzie rose through the levels of the Philadelphia Union.
In addition, he has 13 caps for the United States and has made 106 appearances for the team in all competitions.
