Sebastiaan Bornauw likely to join Hamburg as Leeds weigh centre-back cover | OneFootball

Sebastiaan Bornauw is likely to leave Leeds United for Hamburg after a promising pre-season, a move driven by the player. According to Leeds Live, that development sharpens the need for defensive reinforcements before the deadline.

He started five Premier League matches last season, debuting at Liverpool on New Year’s Day and helping keep a clean sheet, yet remained low in the pecking order. Daniel Farke values him but does not see him as first choice, and will respect his wish to move while preferring he stayed.

Leeds arguably needed a centre-back even if he remained, his exit now makes a signing non-negotiable. Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi is a target and the club would like a replacement lined up before any green light.

The window is already stretched. A back-up goalkeeper will be required once Lucas Perri departs, plus left-back cover and a back-up striker. A number 10 or a left-sided forward could also be pursued, though that looks increasingly uncertain.

Loans for Perri and possibly Bornauw, even with options to buy, offer little short term help under Squad Cost Ratio limits. Sales are close to £30m and net spend about £40m, giving some headroom, but perhaps not for five signings in two-and-a-half weeks. With a back three planned, Leeds may begin with only four natural centre-backs, heightening the need for left-back cover.

Source: Leeds Live

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