Hasse Larsson, the sports director for Mjällby AIF, told the Swedish publication Fotbollskanalen that Leeds United was one of a select group of teams who personally scouted goalkeeper Noel Törnqvist, 21, last weekend.
According to reports, Whites personnel attended the recent AIK vs. Mjällby match, which the home team won 1-0, to witness Sweden Under-21 goalkeeper Törnqvist.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen in the Scandinavian nation, Larsson claimed scouts from Leeds, two unknown Dutch clubs, and FC Copenhagen of Denmark had all paid a visit.
The article states that FCK of Denmark and Leeds United of the Championship both immediately observed the Mjällby goalkeeper during the 1-0 loss to AIK on Saturday.
“There is interest, without a doubt. We will wait and see what transpires because we haven’t heard anything specific. Only enquiries have been made,” Larsson stated.
According to the sporting director, no communication has yet been established between Mjällby and Leeds.
I believe our deal is for four more years. We would like to retain him for a little longer, but it’s difficult to say. Then, depending on what transpires, we’ll see,” Larsson continued. Törnqvist signed a contract extension with the team last summer that goes until 2026, and as of right now, no interested clubs have made any approaches.
The 6ft 6in tall 21-year-old has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season and has recorded 11 clean sheets. He assisted Mjällby in reaching the Swedish Cup Final in May, where they placed second.
According to reports, Törnqvist first joined the Under-16 group at Thorp Arch when he was 15 years old and then went on trial at Leeds while still playing for his previous club Halmstads BK. He was then supposedly tested at the Under-18 level.
Törnqvist’s only prior senior experience came while on loan with second-tier side AFC Eskilstuna; 2023 marks the first year he has been first choice at Mjällby’s home field Strandvallen. The ninth-place team in Sweden’s premier division, the Allsvenskan, Mjällby, has allowed the joint-fewest goals this season of any other squad, excluding the top two teams, Elfsborg and Malmö.
With Dutch youth international Dani van den Heuvel and Harry Christy on the roster as back-up goalkeepers, United currently has Illan Meslier, Kristoffer Klaesson, and Karl Darlow as first-team possibilities.
Leeds appointed former Icelandic international Gretar Steinsson as the club’s new technical director over the summer, supplementing the scouting team alongside interim transfers advisor Nick Hammond and ex-Celtic scout Gary Penrice. The Whites are keen to renew Hammond and Penrice’s contracts at the club, having initially agreed short-term deals with the pair in light of a changing of the guard at recruitment level following Victor Orta’s departure.
