TRANSFER TRACKER: Report
Competing suitors from multiple leagues overseas have emerged for Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie, according to a report from SkySports that cites quotes from Union sporting director Ernst Tanner.
According to the report, Scottish Premiership side Celtic remain one of the teams most interested in McKenzie's services, although Tanner reportedly said that clubs in Germany and English Premier League have also been monitoring the 21-year-old Homegrown center back, and that he hasn't been in contact with Celtic regarding a potential deal in recent weeks.
Celtic have previously been rumored to be interested in McKenzie and wound up acquiring Shane Duffy on loan from Brighton, but are reportedly now in the market for another center back.
"Yeah there were [discussions with Celtic] and they signed other players. It's not necessarily going to be Celtic," Tanner told SkySports. "There is a German league club and other European leagues going for that player. Some of the Premier League clubs are also observing him.
"We don't have any sort of pressure on him and he also doesn't need to force a transfer. He's a good player and plays in a competitive league. There is nothing on the table for him but I know there a lot of rumors out and we are certainly following that. There are some loose discussions at this moment but nothing concrete."
An eventual move overseas has become thought of as a foregone conclusion for McKenzie, who emerged as an MLS Defender of the Year candidate during Philadelphia's Supporters' Shield-winning campaign of 2020.
McKenzie started all 22 of his appearances for the Union this season, providing an elite presence in central defense, while adding an impressive two goals and three assists in 1,980 minutes. Assuming McKenzie eventually does move, it would be the continuation of Philadelphia's blueprint of using their academy system for such deals, which they did earlier this season when they transferred Homegrown playmaker Brenden Aaronson to Red Bull Salzburg.
