Leeds United transfer update: Leo Hjelde exit news emerges with destination a mystery
Leo Hjelde is “in line for a loan move away” from Leeds United although it is unknown yet where he is going, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Joe Donnohue reported via the paper’s website on 19 January that in the wake of Lewis Bate’s loan exit to MK Dons his fellow fringe Whites man was expected to depart as well.
Norwegian defender Hjelde started the Championship opener at left-back for Daniel Farke but soon lost his place to Sam Byram.
The manager has since confirmed that the 20-year-old had been consigned to the reserves and was no longer in the first-team picture.
Surplus to requirements
The youngster had been heavily linked to a move to Salernitana before the summer transfer window closed but a deal never got done.
Whether the Italian side again emerge as takers this month is yet to be seen, but with no prospect of featuring in the Leeds United senior side non-existent despite considerable questions at back left-back and centre-back there seems to be little point in Hjelde remaining in West Yorkshire.
If Farke thinks the defender can develop into a first-team player then further development out on loan is likely the best way for him to do so.
But if he has already made his long-term judgement then a permanent exit is surely on the cards sooner rather than later as well.
Aside from the major exception of Archie Gray there hasn’t been a great deal of successful breakthroughs from the youth set-ups to the senior side at Elland Road of late.
The clouded futures of Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt, two who were expected to be making substantial contributions by now, is only adding to that.
Hjelde got a chance early under the new manager but clearly didn’t impress and looks to be as far away from forcing his way into the German’s thinking as ever now, so is likely not long for Leeds United.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared whether Farke is about to cancel another loan deal early.
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