Hamburg interested in bringing Sebastiaan Bornauw back to the Bundesliga | OneFootball

The Hamburger Abendblatt reports that Hamburg have added Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw to their list of candidates as they continue searching for another centre-back. According to the paper, the 27-year-old Belgian is one of several defensive options currently being evaluated by HSV’s sporting management. No negotiations are believed to have begun, but Bornauw’s extensive Bundesliga experience makes him an attractive candidate.

HSV remain in the market following Luka Vušković’s departure. Jordan Torunarigha has operated in the middle of the back three during preseason, though the left-footer is considered better suited to the left side of the defensive line. Bornauw could therefore provide a more natural option in the central role. The 1.91-meter defender is comfortable operating in a back three, possesses considerable aerial strength, and has accumulated more than 150 appearances in German professional football.

Bornauw established himself at Köln

The Wemmel native developed in the RSC Anderlecht academy and established himself in the Belgian club’s senior team before moving to 1. FC Köln in the summer of 2019. Bornauw immediately became an important figure in the Köln defense. Still only 20 when he arrived in Germany, the centre-back started 27 Bundesliga matches during his debut campaign and scored six league goals.

His strength from set pieces rapidly made him one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous defenders in the opposition penalty area. Bornauw’s second season in the cathedral city proved considerably more difficult. Bornauw struggled defensively as Köln became embroiled in a relegation battle and also missed more than two months after requiring an operation to address a back problem.

The Belgian nevertheless returned in time to deliver one of the most important goals in Kölner history. Bornauw scored an 86th-minute winner against already-relegated Schalke 04 on the final day of the 2020/21 season. The result allowed die Geißböcke to climb into the relegation-playoff position and avoid automatic demotion. Köln subsequently defeated Holstein Kiel over two legs to retain their Bundesliga status.

Four seasons at Wolfsburg

Bornauw departed shortly afterwards. Wolfsburg paid approximately €14.1m to sign him in July 2021, making the Belgian one of Köln’s most lucrative departures at the time. His four seasons with die Wölfe featured changing roles and considerable competition for places. Bornauw worked alongside defenders such as John Brooks, Maxence Lacroix, Micky van de Ven, Moritz Jenz and Cedric Zesiger under several different head coaches.

Bornauw experienced stretches as a regular starter, including an effective partnership with Van de Ven under Niko Kovač. At other times, he found himself lower in the defensive hierarchy and spoke publicly about requiring more playing time to revive his Belgian national-team prospects. The four-times-capped international ultimately remained in Wolfsburg through the end of the 2024/25 campaign. Leeds then paid a reported €6m to bring his six-season Bundesliga spell to an end.

Bornauw struggled for minutes at Leeds

Bornauw joined former Wolfsburg teammate Lukas Nmecha in Yorkshire and signed a contract through 2029. His first season in England nevertheless failed to produce the regular role he had hoped for. The defender made 17 competitive appearances across all competitions. Much of his Premier League involvement came during a short run in January and February after Leeds encountered personnel problems in defence.

His lack of playing time had already prompted talk of a rapid Bundesliga return. Köln explored bringing Bornauw back on loan during the winter transfer window amid a severe defensive injury crisis. Bornauw was reportedly eager to return to the Domstadt, and all parties reached an agreement in principle. The deal collapsed at the last moment because Leeds were unwilling to weaken their defensive options.

Köln continued monitoring their former defender ahead of the summer window, but no return has materialised.

Could HSV pursue a loan?

HSV may now attempt to take advantage of Bornauw’s uncertain position. His €8m estimated market value and long-term Leeds contract could make a permanent transfer difficult, leaving a loan as the more realistic possibility. For HSV, Bornauw would offer Bundesliga experience, aerial presence and familiarity with the central position in a three-man defence.

He would also return to Germany with something to prove.

GGFN | Peter Weis