FC Koln ‘to discuss’ return for £5m Leeds defender Sebastiaan Bornauw amid injury crisis | OneFootball

FC Koln are holding internal talks over a winter move to bring Sebastiaan Bornauw back amid a centre-back crisis. Bild claims the Bundesliga side are discussing a loan from Leeds after long-term injuries to Timo Hubers and Luca Kilian, and view the Belgian as an ideal target.

Leeds could face several winter exits. Joel Piroe, who has 73 goals in 179 Championship games, has made just two Premier League starts and could be sold. Illan Meslier has been linked to Celtic, though Daniel Farke has said he wants to keep the goalkeeper.

Bornauw previously made 57 appearances for Koln before joining Wolfsburg in July 2021, then moved to Leeds in a £5.1m deal in July 2025. He is under contract at Elland Road until July 2029.

The 26-year-old has played only two Premier League minutes across two outings this season. Farke has indicated centre-backs are rarely rotated and that changing one while chasing a game has little impact. The report suggested a loan is likelier than a permanent deal, with Leeds short at centre-half after switching to a 3-5-2.

Even so, a departure this winter would be a surprise, although Leeds appear to be preparing contingencies. They are monitoring Tylel Tati of Nantes and have also been linked with Chibuike Nwaiwu of Wolfsberger, both central defenders. A regular starting role back at Koln could yet tempt Bornauw to push for a return.

Source: Leedsunited.news