Leeds United transfer news as Leo Hjelde very close to Elland Road exit
Leeds United left-back Leo Hjelde, who started in the first two games of the season, is very close to a move to Serie A side Salernitana, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The journalist shared via his website on 15 August that the parties are very close to the move, and want to close it soon, as Leeds face losing another departing player from Elland Road this summer.
Hjelde started Leeds’ games against Cardiff City and Shrewsbury Town which ended in a 2-2 draw and 2-1 win respectively, as Daniel Farke placed a lot of faith in the 19-year-old amid a series of senior players leaving the club.
The departures keep on coming
The exit door at Elland Road has seen plenty of use this summer, as Hjelde looks set to be the 12th player to leave the club since the end of last season, many of whom had relegation release clauses allowing them to leave for minimal fees.
It is not mentioned in the report whether this deal would be a loan move or a permanent transfer, but given Hjelde’s prominence in Farke’s squad so far this season, a loan move would seem strange – unless the player has one of the much-maligned loan exit clauses.
Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson, Max Wober, Jack Harrison, Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen have all left the club on loan, thanks to the bizarre decision made by former director of football Victor Orta to insert relegation loan clauses into seemingly every contract, seeing the club get minimal return on their star players.
The Di Marzio article says Salernitana are looking to get their summer business done before next Thursday, and with this deal reportedly close, it will not be a surprise to see movement in the coming days.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on another Elland Road exit.