Sunderland want to sign ‘the next Van Dijk’ from Leeds United

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Sunderland are interested in signing Leo Hjelde from Leeds United in the final days of the January transfer window.

That is according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who has reported the kind of deal that Sunderland want for Hjelde, who has been tipped to become the next Virgil van Dijk.

So, what has been reported about Sunderland, Leeds United and Leo Hjelde? Let’s take a look.

Sunderland want to sign Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde

Well, according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon, Sunderland want to bring Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde to the Stadium of Light before the January transfer window closes.

Sunderland, who recently appointed former Rangers manager Michael Beale, want to sign former Celtic defender Hjelde on a loan deal.

According to The Scottish Sun, Sunderland want the 20-year-old to provide cover across the back-line.

My View: Leo Hjelde should consider loan exit

In my opinion, if Sunderland want Leo Hjelde on a loan deal, then the Leeds United defender has to seriously consider it.

Hjelde is highly rated and has huge potential. He is only 20 now, and I believe that the Norway Under-21 international is going to get better and develop his game in the coming years.

The 20-year-old has been tipped to become the next Virgil van Dijk by John Hughes. The Liverpool and Netherlands international is one of the best defenders in the world.

Hughes was the Ross County manager from December 2020 until the end of 2020-21 season.

Hjelde was on loan at County from Celtic from January 2021 until the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Hughes told BBC Sport about Hjelde in April 2021: “Leo is going to be the next Van Dijk – trust me on that.

“The quality he has shown, the physical challenge, playing real men’s football and standing up to it – it’s been a wonderful experience for Leo.

“Before he came, Leeds United were after him. I think he had to sign an extension to his contract for the loan to go through.”

Hjelde has played only 46 minutes in the Championship all season. Leeds head coach Daniel Farke clearly does not think that he is ready to play in the starting lineup.

The young defender could do with getting some decent playing time in the coming weeks and months.

And, in my view, if Sunderland are offering him that, then Hjelde should take it.