Hjelde to Leeds deal all but done after official Celtic update – Campbell
Celtic left Leo Hjelde out of their Europa League squad this week – and that is a signal that his move to Leeds United is all but done.
That is the view of ex-Premier League hitman Kevin Campbell, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 17-year-old Hoops centre-back.
This site revealed on 12 August that the Norwegian was set to undergo a medical with Leeds after the two clubs agreed a fee.
And The Athletic‘s Phil Hay tweeted on 23 August that the Whites will get a deal for the young defender over the line before the transfer deadline.
Hjelde, whose Parkhead deal expires next summer, was left out of Celtic’s squad to face AZ Alkmaar in tomorrow’s Europa League play-off second leg.
And Campbell claims that this confirmed news may be an indication that the youngster is set to finalise his switch to Elland Road very soon.
“That could be a suggestion he’s about to leave the club,” he told Football Insider assistant editor Dylan Childs.
“You don’t take risks if there’s a player available to transfer. He’s going to bring some much-needed money into the club.
“You leave them out and the deal is then done. Maybe that’s what they are doing at Celtic with this lad.”
Hjelde is yet to make his senior debut for Celtic since signing from Rosenborg as a youth player in 2019.
He featured 12 times in all competitions on loan at Ross County last season.
In other news, pundit claims Leeds United deserves “huge credit” after what he’s seen from young goalkeeper sensation Ilan Meslier.