Southampton join Leeds and Leicester in Eredivisie defender transfer battle | OneFootball

Southampton have joined the race to sign PEC Zwolle defender Anselmo Garcia MacNulty.

That is according to a report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, who say that interest in the left-back - who played at centre-back for most of last season with NAC Breda - from England is growing ahead of the summer transfer window.

Having been born in Spain, MacNulty came through the youth ranks with Real Betis, before moving to Germany to join Wolfsburg.

However, the defender left the Bundesliga side last summer without making a senior appearance, in order to join PEC Zwolle.

Since then, he has made 29 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring once to help them to 11th in the current Eredivisie table.

Earlier this week, it was reported that both Leeds United and Leicester City are interested in MacNulty, and now it seems as though the list of clubs keen to bring the Republic of Ireland youth international to England is growing further.

Southampton enter MacNulty transfer race

As per this latest update, both Leeds and Leicester are indeed keen on a deal to sign the Zwolle defender at the end of this season.

However, Mundo Deportivo's report also names Southampton as potential suitors for MacNulty, once the market opens this summer

It is claimed that Betis themselves may also be keen on re-signing MacNulty, despite those links with a move to England.

MacNulty currently has two years remaining on his contract with PEC Zwolle, securing his future with the Dutch outfit until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Southampton and Leeds looking to follow Leicester to promotion

Leicester have already secured their promotion back to the Premier League as Championship title winners.

Leeds meanwhile, sit third in the table, and host Southampton on the final day, knowing that a win over the Saints could take them up automatically, if Ipswich lose to Huddersfield.

If not, then the Whites will join Southampton in the play-offs, with Russell Martin's side already guaranteed to finish fourth in the final standings this season.

MacNulty could be a useful signing for Southampton this summer

It does feel as though there is an argument that MacNulty is a player worth targeting for Southampton in the summer transfer window, as his versatility at centre-back and left-back provides options for Russell Martin.

In the middle of defence currently Taylor Harwood-Bellis is only on loan at St Mary's from Manchester City until the end of the season, which could leave them short on options in the centre of defence if they are not promoted, with just Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens left.

That would mean Southampton may need to add some depth in that area come the summer, and that may be in the form of MacNulty himself.

The Zwolle defender does seem to have impressed during his first taste of top-flight football in the Eredivisie this season, suggesting he could already be a solid option for the Saints.

At 21-years-old, he would also have plenty of time to develop and improve, potentially becoming a long-term option for Southampton that they can eventually sell on for a useful profit.

Given the way things have worked out when it comes the table so far, this could also be something of a welcome coup for the Saints, if they can beat out Leeds and Leicester in the race for MacNulty.

With all that in mind, it does feel as though this could be a deal that may be worth pursuing for Southampton once the window opens again.