Leeds United have joined a host of clubs who are keeping tabs on PEC Zwolle defender Anselmo Garcia MacNulty, according to a Balls.ie report.
The 21-year-old has been in fine form for the Eredivisie outfit this season, featuring 28 times and scoring once. MacNulty is no stranger to Dutch football having represented NAC Breda on loan in the second-tier last season.
He played a total of 38 matches last season as well as making his Republic of Ireland Under 21 debut against Iceland during his time at the Rat Verlegh Stadium.
PEC Zwolle signed the left-sided defender on a permanent deal in the summer of 2023 from Vfl Wolfsburg and quickly extended his contract until 2026.
This has not deterred Leeds along with Premier League-bound Leicester City and promotion-chasing Southampton from showing an interest in the Republic of Ireland Under 21 international. MacNulty’s current market value is around £800,000, a figure that is unlikely to scare off the interested trio.
The imposing 6ft 2” defender has predominantly filled the left-back berth for the Bluefingers this season but grew up playing in the centre of defence. He earned the WhoScored? Team of the Week left-back spot after the most recent round of games.
It is not only the three English clubs who are courting the Irishman, as he is also believed to be garnering interest from Club Brugge of Belgium. Spanish outfit Real Betis are also believed to be interested in MacNulty, a player who spent some of his youth football at the club.
Writer’s View
Young Irish players are no strangers to heading abroad, with the likes of Festy Ebosele of Udinese and Armstrong Oko-Flex of FC Zurich being just two examples.
MacNulty is no stranger to playing on the continent and is building his reputation while gaining valuable first-team experience. Whether he will want to continue gaining regular first-team minutes or take the challenge of the Premier League or La Liga remains to be seen.
A move to England would certainly aid his chances of a call-up to the senior Ireland as would a move back to the country of his birth with Betis. It is shaping up to be a big summer for the big defender.
