Leeds United transfer news: Leo Hjelde exit ‘developments are expected in the next few hours’
Leo Hjelde represents the “ideal profile” for Salernitana before the transfer window shuts and movement on a Leeds United exit is “expected” imminently, according to Solo Salerno.
The Italian outlet reported on their website on Tuesday (22 August) that “developments are expected in the next few hours” regarding the Norwegian defender’s proposed move to the Serie A side, with sporting director Morgan de Sanctis eyeing a loan-to-buy move.
According to Solo Salerno the permanent option, either an option or an obligation, would be to come available “under certain conditions”.
Reports in Italy have indicated a Hjelde departure is very much on the cards, although the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth reported a week ago (16 August) that a move wasn’t “imminent”.
But the latest report suggests movement could come any time, with it more than a “few hours” since the report came out.
Holding pattern
Realistically the only way the Whites can afford to let the 19-year-old leave at this stage is if they manage to sign a new left-back before the transfer deadline.
Hjelde started the season as Daniel Farke’s top option at the position, with the only specialist in the squad injured once more in Junior Firpo.
Sam Byram may have overtaken the teenager thanks to a concussion that kept Hjelde out for the clash with West Brom, but in the wake of a huge number of departures this summer it would be a risk to let another leave without a replacement coming in.
With the money involved for a Hjelde move looking likely to be minimal there is little incentive to close a deal right now, and if it is only attached to yet another loan the benefit will only come down the line anyway.
It doesn’t appear that Hjelde is pushing for the move in the same way that Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra have been, so he may have to wait until the final hours of the window if that’s how long it takes to sign a new option, if at all.
It looks like incoming activity is finally starting to ramp back up again in the last week before the deadline, with a move for Glen Kamara thought to be close and a push for Joel Piroe now in full swing.
If the club can close deals for those two it would appear to leave left-back as the primary requirement before the deadline, assuming the two wantaway wingers can be kept at Elland Road, so if they get one perhaps Hjelde can go.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites appear to have lost out on one left-back option they wanted this summer amid recent developments.