West Ham United now want to sign USA defender Mark McKenzie as new contract talks fail
West Ham United are interested in signing KRC Genk defender Mark McKenzie, according to Voetbal Nieuws.
The Belgian news outlet reported online (17 January) that the Hammers face competition from the likes of Everton, Brighton, Leeds United and a Bundesliga outfit for the 24-year-old’s signature.
McKenzie had a strong season last year in Belgium, but the United States international’s form has dipped this year, with the defender being described as having a “very erratic season” this time around.
He will enter the final year of his contract with Genk next season, and the Belgian club are keen on keeping hold of their asset until at least the summer, after previously seeing talks last year over a contract extension fail to materialise.
Surprise
This is a link which appears to have come out of nowhere, and for most West Ham supporters, they will have likely not heard much about McKenzie.
David Moyes will be keen to bring in defensive reinforcements, but suggestions that McKenzie has failed to kick on this year after a strong season last time out will certainly be of concern to the Scot and offer doubts as to whether or not the defender can make the step up to playing in England’s top flight.
On the other hand, he is an international player with European experience who has played more than 100 times for Genk, and as he is entering the final year of his contract, there could be scope for Moyes’ side to sign him on the cheap.
If West Ham were able to pull off a low-cost deal for McKenzie, it would certainly be seen as a low-risk move which would only have room for a big upside if the player were to perform.
In other West Ham United news, the club want to sign a Premier League striker who will now be allowed to leave permanently this month, according to David Ornstein.
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