Celtic defender and Leeds United target Leo Hjelde’s representatives were 'mightily unimpressed' with the Hoops as to how they dealt with Kristoffer Ajer’s situation this summer, according to The Cynic Wolf.

The Lowdown: Ajer’s move

Ajer made his intentions clear when it came to leaving Celtic Park at the beginning of the window.

The Hoops then rejected two £10m bids for the centre-back from Bayer Leverkusen and Norwich City, which left Ajer unhappy.

Celtic eventually cashed in on the Norwegian, with Brentford paying just over £14m for his services.

However, the way Celtic dealt with Ajer’s situation appears to have played a role in his fellow countryman, Hjelde, and his Parkhead future.

The Latest: Hjelde’s reps unimpressed

Hjelde looks set to leave Celtic for Leeds United after the two clubs agreed on a fee, with personal terms already reached.

The Cynic Wolf, who reports for @90MinuteCynic, admitted the 17-year-old is ‘on his way’ to Elland Road, before adding some more details on the centre-back.

“I understand that people close to Hjelde were mightily unimpressed with the way Celtic handled Kristoffer Ajer’s current situation. With a year left on his contract, it is likely to have played a part in the player’s considerations around signing an extension.”

The Verdict: A future blow?

John Hughes tipped Hjelde to become ‘the next Virgil van Dijk’, so, in the long run, Hjelde’s Parkhead exit could be looked back on as a blow.

However, it appears as if the teenager and his representatives have had their eyes on a Celtic Park departure following Ajer’s transfer saga, so it doesn’t look like there was much Celtic could have done to extend the youngster’s deal beyond 2022.

Still a young player making no impact on the first-team, it is hard to begrudge Celtic cashing in if he has no intention of staying long-term.

In other news: Postecoglou closing in: Celtic now close to versatile right-midfielder for £3m.