Leeds United and interested club taking different stances over player’s potential Elland Road departure
Leo Hjelde could be on his way out of Elland Road this summer
Leeds United are keen to sell defender Leo Hjelde permanently during the current transfer window, amid interest from Salernitana.
That’s according to a report from Italian outlet TuttoSalernitana, who do however say that the Serie A side would prefer to take the 19-year-old on loan, rather than complete a permanent deal.
How has Hjelde done since joining Leeds?
Hjelde joined Leeds from Celtic back in the summer of 2021, having never made a senior appearance for the Scottish giants.
The Norwegian has also found game time hard to come by since making the move to Elland Road, and spent the second half of last season out on loan with Rotherham United.
In total, Hjelde has made just seven first-team appearances in all competitions for the Whites, and he has featured just once for Daniel Farke’s side in three Championship games at the start of this season.
What is Hjelde’s current situation at Leeds?
Having been unable to establish himself during his time in Yorkshire, it seems Leeds are now open to letting the defender head for pastures new this summer.
According to this latest update, Leeds would like to let Hjelde leave the club on a permanent deal before the window closes at the end of this month, and are hoping to receive a fee in the region of €2million for his services.
As things stand, there are still two years remaining on the versatile defender’s contract with Leeds, securing his future at Elland Road until the end of the 2024/25 season.
That of course, means that Leeds are in a position to negotiate any bids that come in for the teenager between now and the end of the month.
Leeds’ stance an issue for Salernitana’s pursuit of Hjelde
The fact that Leeds want to sell Hjelde permanently this summer, appears to be an issue for Salernitana’s own interest in a deal for the defender.
It is claimed that the Italian side are working on a minimum budget this summer, which could make it hard for them to meet Leeds’ asking price for Hjelde.
As a result, the Serie A side would apparently prefer to sign the Leeds man on a temporary basis with a loan deal, rather than completing a permanent move for him.
A defensive exodus at Leeds
Hjelde would be far from the first defender to leave Leeds during the course of this summer transfer window.
Already this summer, centre backs Robin Koch, Max Wober and Diego Llorente have left to join Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Monchengladbach and AS Roma respectively, on season-long loan moves.
With just two points from their opening three league games, it has been a tough start to the Championship campaign for Leeds, following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.
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Sky Sports have reported that OGC Nice are said to be keen on taking the player to Ligue 1. The French side finished ninth in the top-flight last season and could rival his former side Feyenoord, according to Dutch outlet 1908.nl.
Sinisterra initially joined the Whites Leeds last summer in a £22m deal from the Dutch giants. However, things haven’t quite gone to plan at Elland Road, with Leeds suffering relegation and Sinisterra unable to make the impact he would and the club would have liked.
The Colombian international winger struggled with fitness and injuries, and perhaps if he had remained available more frequently, then the Whites would have staved off relegation. Sinisterra notched seven goals and one assist from 22 games in all competitions last term.
The move came the season after was almost ever present for the Dutch giants, bagging 23 goals and 14 assists in 49 games in all competitions and being awarded the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League Young Player of the Season award.
Football Insider are now suggesting that talks have taken place between Leeds and Brentford in the hopes of sorting out a move whilst Sinisterra remains away from Leeds’ first-team training over his current situation.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke gave an update on Sinisterra’s future last week. The Colombian, alongside other Whites’ wingers Wilfried Gnonto and Helder Costa, reportedly asked to be left out of matchday squads at the present time, including the last two league fixtures with Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.
