The Athletic's Phil Hay has delivered an update on Leeds United's pursuit of Kristoffer Klaesson.

What's the story?

With the new Premier League season now less than a month away, Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt be desperate for some reinforcements to be made to his first-team squad.

Reports in recent days have suggested that Valerenga shot-stopper, Klaesson, is someone who the Whites have identified as a potential replacement for Kiko Casilla, who of course departed on a season-long loan to Spanish side Elche.

Now, via Twitter, Hay has delivered an update on where things stand, saying: "Club are making progress with that one. Decent chance. Would need a work permit though."

Fans will be excited

At only 20, Klaesson is at the opposite end of his career compared to Casilla, and would provide Leeds' number one goalkeeper Illan Meslier with the kind of competition needed at the top level to truly thrive.

Valerenga's sporting director has openly spoken about the fine work Victor Orta has done in trying to recruit his club's player, saying: "The best clubs, and the best environments, work long-term with player recruitment. There, Victor is one of the brightest in the subject. Leeds arrived on the field in the summer of 2019 and have been very good. We have had a good dialogue with them.

"They obviously saw something of Kristoffer early that they liked, and have been good at updating themselves on developments."

That knowledge that Orta is cultivating relationships with clubs behind-the-scenes in order to get a head-start on negotiations and make a good impression is something that The Athletic recently shed light on during Leeds' signing of Junior Firpo.

It's an indication of the kind of impressive work that the Spaniard is doing in order to get the right players into the club, and now, Hay's update that Klaesson is closing in on a move to Elland Road is sure to have Whites fans excited.

Not just because it will be another new signing to add to Bielsa's ranks, but also another statement that they have got a transfer chief who appears to be very good at his job - it bodes well for the rest of the window for sure.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have opened talks for this player...