Leeds United are confident of signing Celtic defender Leo Hjelde. The highly-rated centre back has been linked with a seven-figure move to the Premier League club in recent weeks and now, Phil Hays is saying that the deal will be done before the deadline.
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 Athletic’s Phil Hay, The Whites are hoping to seal a deal for the 18-year-old before the window closes next Tuesday. The player would slot into Leeds’ U23 side if a deal pushes over the line.
Incomings wise, Leeds will get Leo Hjelde from Celtic done before the deadline. As Bielsa said last week, more than that looks unlikely. Good chance that Poveda will head to Blackburn on loan. #lufc @TheAthleticUK
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 23, 2021
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.
Celtic have recently appointed Gordon Strachan on a three-month spell at the club to review the youth Academy and one of his tasks must be to find a way to keep Celtic’s best and brightest talents against the lure of the Big 5 leagues.