by DAVE MARTINEZ

New York City FC’s defense was clearly a weak point for the club during the 2016 season.

Now, it looks like the club is ready to spend in order to shore up their backline.

Sources tell EoS that NYCFC are eyeing a potential swoop for Standard Leige centerback, Jorge Teixeira.

Teixeira, 29, is a Portuguese defender who has featured for teams in the Belgian Pro League, the Swiss Super League and the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Haifa. He spent five seasons with Zurich before moving on to Standard Liege on a free transfer. At Liege, he features as the club’s starting centerback, playing 13 matches for the team this season and scoring a goal in that time.

Talks with the player are in the preliminary stages, with no concrete offers on the table. However, there is a mutual interest in getting a deal done.

The 6’2″ centerback is currently under contract with Liege through 2017. This will likely mean that NYCFC would have to pay a transfer fee for the player. Zurich last paid a $1.2 million transfer fee for Teixeira back in 2010. However, they parted with the centerback in 2014 on a free transfer to Leige.

Currently, NYCFC’s centerback corps consist of newcomer Jefferson Mena and veteran defender, Jason Hernandez. Standout Shay Facey has rejoined the Manchester City Elite Development Squad after his year-long loan deal ended.

Here is a highlight reel of Teixeira in action: