EXCLUSIVE By Wayne Veysey

Defender Aapo Halme is set to undergo a Barnsley medical as he closes in on a transfer from Leeds United, Football Insider understands.

Football Insider broke the news on Wednesday of last week that the newly-promoted Championship club had turned their attention to sign both Halme and his youthful United teammate Mallik Wilks.

They subsequently opened talks over a double deal and now a Leeds source has told Football Insider that Halme’s potential move has progressed to the point where he has been granted permission to finalise a move to Barnsley.

The giant defender, who stands at 6ft 4in, has been offered a contract by Barnsley and he is now on the verge of finalising a move.

Football Insider’s revelation last week came as something of a surprise to Leeds fans as Hale joined in January of last year from HJK Helsinki on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The Finland Under-21 international has made five Leeds senior appearances to date, with all of them coming following Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival last summer.

But the signing of Ben White on a season-long loan from Brighton has been the trigger for Leeds boss Bielsa to sanction the exit of Halme.

In other Leeds United news, it can be REVEALED that the club are close to sealing a £3million deal as Premier League player’s agent at Thorp Arch for transfer talks.