Hamburg chief acknowledges interest in Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw | OneFootball

Hamburg have expressed interest in Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw, with his situation still open as the season approaches.

According to BuliNews, sporting director Claus Costa said Bornauw is among players they are assessing, alongside Lille’s Terem Moffi, and that any deal is not imminent. Hamburg are in the market for a centre-back after Tottenham Hotspur loanee Luka Vuskovic joined Brighton & Hove Albion.

Bornauw signed a four-year contract after a £5 million move from Wolfsburg last summer, but he started only five Premier League matches. Speculation around him has persisted since January.

He toured the United States this pre-season, impressing against Sunderland and Liverpool after missing the Wrexham opener with a minor issue.

His selection suggests Farke currently views him as part of next season’s plans. Leeds have four natural centre-backs, Joe Rodon, Tarik Muharemovic, Jaka Bijol and Bornauw, and Farke looks set to retain a back-three.

James Justin has featured as a wide centre-back and Ethan Ampadu can drop in, but neither are specialists in the role. Academy defender Alfie Cresswell also travelled to the US, though he has yet to make a competitive senior debut.

Letting Bornauw go in any capacity would force Leeds to recruit a replacement due to the limited back-up. Farke has not stood in the way of players seeking exits, while Bornauw’s own stance remains unclear.

Source: Leeds Live

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”