Leeds send officials to make in-person checks on signing Champions League star

The 49ers have now dispatched Leeds United officials to make in-person checks on Kevin Mac Allister, who has impressed for Union Saint-Gilloise this season.

Leeds make in-person checks on Mac Allister

Whilst a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final came as a blow on Sunday, there’s no denying that Leeds have outperformed expectations this season.

There was a stage in which Daniel Farke‘s job looked at major risk, only for the German to unveil his back five system and turn Leeds’ season around.

Now, with the Whites six points clear of the relegation zone and preparing to play their final four games of the season, those at Elland Road have had the chance to turn towards the forthcoming transfer window.

It’s certainly important that the 49ers get things right. The last thing they need is to be infected with a serious case of second-season syndrome.

With that said, several potential targets are already emerging. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Santiago Bueno and Joao Gomes have both threatened to steal the headlines as of late and would be classic cases of teams taking advantage of relegated clubs.

But they’re not the only targets this summer. According to TeamTalk, the 49ers have dispatched Leeds officials to make in-person checks on Mac Allister ahead of this summer.

The Union Saint-Gilloise defender is the older brother to Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and has enjoyed an impressive season – even featuring in the Champions League. The 28-year-old also did enough to earn a first international call-up at the end of last year, playing alongside his brother for Argentina.

Now, with Leeds joining the race to secure his signature alongside a whole host of Premier League sides, Mac Allister has a decision to make.

Mac Allister could partner Struijk & Bijol

With their back five now a permanent feature, Leeds need additional centre-backs this summer. They need a player like Mac Allister, whose own weakness as a 5’8 defender would be covered alongside Pascal Struijk and Jaka Bijol.

The numbers suggest that Mac Allister is the most aggressive of the three defenders. He’ll happily step out of the back three and engage with the opposition, something that both Struijk and Bijol do not do enough of.

In a back two, that would be a risk. In a back three, it would allow Leeds to step onto the front foot and that will be crucial if they want to push beyond a relegation scrap next season.

They’re not the only side interested in Mac Allister, but their impressive first season back in the Premier League should help their case this summer. As for Mac Allister, he’s undoubtedly got a big decision to make.