Leeds United
Report; Leeds should let Leo Hjelde go Daniel Farke’s side
Leeds United defender Leo Fuhr Hjelde is wanted by Sunderland in a late January loan move as they want him to provide cover at both centre-back and left-back according to Alan Nixon.
The Sun journalist reported via his Patreon on 28 January that, despite both clubs being promotion rivals, Leeds could sanction the loan move for the defender.
Hjelde has spent the majority of the first half of this season playing under-21 football despite starting the opening-day Championship clash against Cardiff City.
Leeds should let him go
After that opening-day start in Cardiff, Hjelde hasn’t featured again for Daniel Farke’s side and has been relegated to the academy team in a display that his long-term future may not be at Elland Road.
While there is nothing wrong with a 20-year-old playing under-21 football, his early involvement in the first team looked like it may see a breakthrough season for him, but with Farke choosing to name two goalkeepers on his bench rather than Hjelde in the FA Cup clash with Plymouth, his stance has been made clear.
Sunderland, who are owned by billionaire Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, may prove themselves as a promotion rival despite a recent dip in form under Michael Beale, which means Leeds could be reluctant to strengthen their side.
However, Hjelde’s lack of involvement at Elland Road means now that this opportunity has come along, the club should let him go.
A loan move would also provide an opportunity for him to gain regular minutes at this level to potentially prove his worth, with a possible view to the Leeds first-team or a permanent move away from the club.
