Reports this morning have suggested that Leeds United are monitoring Celtic starlet Leo Hjelde.

The Yorkshire Evening Post say The Whites are planning a summer swoop for a number of under-23 stars and Hjelde is on their list of targets.

The Norwegian spent last season on loan at Ross County and at the age of just 17 the Hoops have high hopes for his future.

Hjelde moved to Parkhead from Rosenborg two years ago and signed a three-year deal.

Former Staggies boss John Hughes hailed Hjelde during his time in Dingwall and made a claim that he would go all the way to the English Premier League.

He said: “I 100 per cent believe he will reach the Premier League. Leo is going to be the next Virgil Van Dijk, trust me on that, trust me. He has got a lot to learn but for being a young kid, to come on loan during Covid in this climate, what he’s produced has been absolutely fantastic.

“He has still got a lot of learning but before he came here Leeds United were after him. I think he signed an extension to his Celtic contract for this loan to go through. He is going to be a centre-back but he can play left-back.

“Everything a loan does for a kid, playing competitive football every week, trying to win every week, playing men’s football, standing up to it and the disappointments. There have been one or two occasions he could have done better but that’s part of it. It’s been a wonderful experience for Leo.

“He is a good kid, a good professional. At this moment in time he has picked up a wee virus but thankfully it’s not Covid-19. It has knocked him back a wee bit. But once he’s over that, he will challenge again. But I take my hat off to him and he’s got a massive future.”