Leeds United are close to completing the signing of defender Aapo Halme from Finnish club HJK Helsinki, according to MTV Sport.
The Finnish publication claims that the Whites have been given a green light to sign the 19-year-old and are expected to announce the deal in the next few days.
It is understood that the Whites have been successful in their pursuit of the 6ft 4in defensive colossus.
The report details that that Leeds will pay a “significant transfer fee” to bring the centre-back to Elland Road.
Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanoma reported back in September that Leeds were keen on signing Halme and they are set to secure the deal early into the New Year.
Good move for Leeds?
Halme is an exciting young defender that a lot of potential and his physical presence should see him be a perfect fit to the style of English football.
Thomas Christiansen ideally needs to add either a left-back or centre-forward in the January window, but the addition of a young talent is always a positive.
He has made 36 senior appearances for top-flight Finnish club HJK and there is no guarantee he will be an instant impact at Leeds.
Halme may have to be patient for first-team opportunities as the centre-back partnership of Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper will be a very difficult one to break.
The HJK is a fairly unknown talent and it will be interesting to see how his career unfolds given the transfer fee that has been reported.
This Is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
This deal is on the verge of completing if reports are to believed as Leeds close in on a defensive January signing.
The Yorkshire giants have been alerted to the qualities of powerhouse defender Halme since September and their new policy if bringing in young talents appear to be in full flow.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10