Report: Leeds ‘move closer’ in pursuit to sign 17-year-old prospect who’s already had senior minutes

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United are reportedly edging closer in their pursuit to try sign Celtic prospect Leo Hjelde.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds are finally making progress in a bid to bring the 17-year-old talent to Elland Road.

It is understood that negotiations between the Whites and Celtic have now progressed after a recent stalemate, so they have been able to “move closer” to a transfer.

The report explains that the teenager would join up with Mark Jackson’s Under 23s side at Leeds because they need a replacement in defence for Oliver Casey .

Hjelde, who’s currently with Celtic’s B team, is an upcoming star. However, the centre-back has played senior minutes already in his short career.

The Norwegian centre-half played 12 first-team games during a loan spell in the second half of last season for Scottish Premiership club Ross County.

Hjelde is a reminder that Leeds are stacked with quality centre-backs

For young Leeds centre-backs, they’ll know it’s a huge task to break into the senior squad given the options. Marcelo Bielsa has a wealth of talent in the heart of his defence.

Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Robin Koch are all centre-halves that will have firm belief they can be in the starting XI in the new season. A Llorente-Struijk combination was impressive last season, but it’s a new campaign.

In other news, Report: Tottenham and West Ham want £18m-rated star in final year of contract, but rivals make bid