Leeds United are interested in a move for Celtic wonderkid Leo Hjelde, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The Lowdown: Leeds United prepare for 2021/22
Acquiring some established first-team players may well be on the agenda at Leeds this summer, but bringing in young talent and allowing them a platform to flourish will be equally important to transfer guru Victor Orta and co.
A healthy streamline of quality young talent from the academy could prove very fruitful under a coach like Marcelo Bielsa, and this train of thought may be particularly applicable to Leeds United’s latest documented pursuit.
The Latest: Leeds interested in Hjelde; could join Under-23 set up
Leeds United have supposedly earmarked Celtic defender Hjelde as an ideal fit for their Under-23 set up [Yorkshire Evening Post].
Oliver Casey looks set to finalise a permanent move to Blackpool [OneFootball], while the Norwegian youth international could be one of three or four younger domestic signings that the Yorkshiremen are looking to tempt towards Elland Road [Yorkshire Evening Post].
Southampton are said to also have had a previous interest in the former Rosenborg BK man [HITC].
The Verdict: Hjelde would be an exciting acquisition
Undoubtedly, 17 year-old Hjelde would be a smart addition that would please Leeds United supporters.
Full of potential and promise, he made 12 appearances on loan at Ross County in the second half of 2020/21, registering a solitary goal [Transfermarkt], and was famously tipped as ‘the next Van Dijk’ by then Staggies manager John Hughes, illustrating his abundance of talent as a footballer [BBC].
Under the correct management, there is every chance the prodigy could develop into an established Premier League defender in the coming years if that comparison is even close to accurate, so signing him now for a relatively low fee - he has just one year left on his Celtic contract - could be a really wise move from Orta.
In other news, Leeds United have been offered the chance to sign a Ivory Coast international.