Leeds United Target Nico Elvedi Transfer Deal

Leeds United have moved to land Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi in a deal that underlines their intent to tighten up at the back – yet the transfer is on pause, waiting on one crucial outgoing.

Daniel Farke has already had a strong say in a busy summer at Elland Road. Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford have all arrived as Leeds look to lock in their Premier League status before the new campaign kicks off next week. The next piece of the puzzle is clear: replace Pascal Struijk and rebuild the heart of the defence.

Elvedi is the man they want, and the numbers are already on the table. As reported by Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Leeds and Borussia Monchengladbach have agreed a fee of €10m (£8.5m), with a 15% sell-on clause heading back to the Bundesliga club. Personal terms with the Swiss defender were sorted earlier in the week. On paper, everything is lined up.

But the move still hangs on one hinge: Sebastiaan Bornauw.

The Belgian has been heavily linked with Hamburg after a frustrating spell in England. Since joining from Wolfsburg, he has managed just nine Premier League appearances, never truly establishing himself in Farke’s plans. Elvedi is viewed as his direct replacement, and until Bornauw’s future is resolved, Leeds are not ready to push the button.

Right now, there is no agreement for Bornauw to join Hamburg. That standstill keeps Elvedi’s transfer in limbo, even with all sides broadly aligned. It’s a classic late-window chain reaction: one defender out, one defender in, or nothing moves at all.

The situation has already had an impact in Germany. Elvedi was left out of Borussia Monchengladbach’s squad for their pre-season friendly against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, a precautionary step to avoid any injury that might wreck the proposed deal. Gladbach are protecting their asset; Leeds are waiting by the phone.

The knock-on effect is felt in West Yorkshire too. With Bornauw’s future uncertain and Elvedi not yet through the door, Farke’s centre-back options are thin. Joe Rodon stands as the senior figure, with new signing Muharemovic and Jaka Bijol alongside him. Ethan Ampadu and James Justin can both cover at centre-back if required, but neither is a specialist in that role for Leeds.

For Farke, this is not just another signing. It is a reunion.

Before he took over at Elland Road in 2023, Farke spent a season in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach and saw Elvedi up close. The Swiss international became a key pillar in his side. At his peak, Farke labelled him “one of the best defenders in Europe” and called him “an absolute leader for us.”

Those words explain Leeds’ determination. This is a manager chasing a player he trusts, a defender he believes can organise a back line and set standards in a league that punishes hesitation.

The agreement is there. The admiration is clear. Now the entire move rests on whether Leeds can finally unlock Bornauw’s exit and clear the path for Elvedi to walk into Elland Road as Farke’s new defensive general.