Sebastiaan Bornauw will become Leeds United’s third signing of the summer transfer window if he passes his Thorp Arch medical.
There is plenty of work still to be done, but Leeds United’s squad for the Premier League is taking shape, with Bornauw joining Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol.
Bornauw had a medical with Leeds on Monday after they agreed a fee of just over £5 million with Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg for the Belgian international. Wolfsburg might use the Bornauw fee to target Josh Sargent now as well.
Like other signings, Bornauw’s physical profile makes sense for Leeds. Daniel Farke also attempted to sign Bornauw for Norwich City back in 2021 but this will be the first time they have worked together.
Leeds United supporters react to signing Sebastiaan Bornauw
He has not yet been unveiled but Bornauw will add competition and depth at the heart of Leeds’ defence. The Belgian has spent the last six seasons in the Bundesliga after his arrival from RSC Anderlecht.
Leeds fans have reacted to the news, as broken by Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post. It’s fair to say many have noticed a theme emerging with the signings.
One said: “Absolute bargain tbf. Very solid player who bulks out the squad further. 20 odd milion for two good defenders and a free striker option before July, can’t really complain with the big signings to come. Hopefully we can sort the keeper issue out early.”
A further comment read: “That’s your moneyball signing Last year contract, club has to sell to balance books Hope, there are couple more from #lufc Also, prob. Wober goes home now as he wishes.”
Another added: “Not bad for a cheap deal like that. Nothing special but he’s tall and athletic enough. Has played in a back three or back four. Can play RB in an emergency or if we want a more defensive player there. For £5m? Sound.”
One Millwall fan even commented his verdict, as shown above. Bornauw has been likened to Daniel van Buyten — funnily enough, the Bayern Munich and Belgium legend is the 26-year-old’s agent.
Anton Stach would complement Leeds’ signings perfectly
A peak-age player entering the final year or two of his contract and who is tall and well built physically? We’ve been here before with Leeds under the 49ers before, haven’t we?
Bornauw underlines that there is a theme at Leeds currently which surrounds physicality and height, with the technical attributes to match for Premier League survival.
Another player who ticks those boxes and who has the perfect attributes to help Leeds to build a squad capable of survival is a midfielder in the Bundesliga. Anton Stach would also be perfect for Leeds.
His height and power would add plenty to their midfield, but something different to what Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka offer. Stach is also 26, which is the same age as the first three players through the door at Elland Road so far.
The Hoffenheim central midfielder is in the final two years of his deal with the club and stands at 6’4″ as well; making him another idealistic pick for the current strategy.
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