Leo Hjelde missed Celtic’s SPFL Trust Trophy win over Annan Athletic tonight, sparking suggestions that he could be on the verge of a move from the club. To coincide with this, a report emerged from Leeds claiming that the clubs have moved forward in their discussions about the highly-rated defender. Now, it looks as if Hjelde is set to complete the move with Norwegian Sports Journalist Stain Wahl taking to Twitter to admit that he has agreed personal terms with the Elland Road side.
Leeds og Celtic er enige om pris for Leo Fuhr Hjelde. Nordmannen er også enig om personlige detaljer for en stund tilbake. Medical gjenstår. 17-åringen er tiltenkt en plass på U23-laget til Leeds. @GrahamSmyth meldte tidligere onsdag at det var fremgang i forhandlingene om Hjelde
— Stian André de Wahl (@StianWahl) August 11, 2021
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.
— TheCynicWolf (@TheCynicWolf) August 11, 2021
The Norwegian, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Ross County, is nearing a move to Marcelo Bielsa’s Premier League side. As reported by The Yorkshire Evening Post, The Whites are progressing with discussions with Celtic over a potential transfer deal for the 18-year-old. The player would slot into Leeds’ U23 side if a deal pushes over the line.
Celtic poached Hjelde from the Norwegian side in 2019 and he is well thought of within the club, a move to Dingwall has aided his progression and had bolstered his chances of becoming a first-team player at Celtic down the line. Hjelde made the bench in the 1-1 draw with Hibs at the beginning of the year. Celtic’s Australian manager Ange Postecoglou featured the defender in pre-season but the news that Hjelde is close to a move with Leeds would be demoralising for the club as it is another highly-rated youngster being lured South.
