Leeds to sign international ace at the start of next week - reliable journalist

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Published on:

30 Dec 2016, 4:27 am

By Harry Sykes

Leeds will sign Pablo Hernandez on a permanent transfer after the club's Championship clash against Rotherham next Monday, according to a reliable journalist.

Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay revealed that the 2 January showdown at Elland Road is the last match of Hernandez's loan spell.

The playmaker, who has won four caps for Spain, joined Leeds initially in August from Qatari club Al-Arabi on a five-month loan.

The Spaniard, who has been an integral member of Garry Monk's high-flying team this season, made his 17th appearance of the campaign in Thursday night's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Pontus Jansson scored the opener with a header direct from Stuart Dallas' corner and appeared to have won the game for his side until Jonathan Kodjia's late equaliser from the penalty spot.

Hernandez came off the bench for the second consecutive match as he builds up his match fitness after seven weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay claimed on Friday it is now certain that Hernandez will sign permanently for Leeds as he becomes the club's first January signing.

Hay, who is reliable source of Leeds information, explained on his personal Twitter account that Hernandez is in line to play against Rotherham and "should then sign permanently" for the club.

Re: loans, Jansson is obviously going to hit 20 apps on Monday. Rotherham is last game of Hernandez's loan but he should then sign perm.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) December 30, 2016

The signing of Hernandez will be a major boost to Monk as he continues to reshape a squad that has exceeded all expectations this season.

Leeds climbed to fourth in the table after leapfrogging Huddersfield following the draw at Villa Park in what was a captivating encounter.

In other Leeds transfer news, a 25-year-old has signed for the club after agreeing terms.

Leeds United

Pontus Jansson