The story of Daniel Farke’s attempts to sign new Leeds United player Sebastiaan Bornauw at Norwich City

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Leeds United are closing in on a £5m deal to sign Wolfsburg and Belgium star Sebastiaan Bornauw, with the giant defender set to become the club’s third summer signing.

The 26-year-old is set to undergo a medical on Monday after Leeds and Wolfsburg struck a deal that sees Bornauw immediately reunite with Lukas Nmecha. The latter joins Leeds on a free from the German club.

Bornauw is undergoing a Leeds medical on Monday and it is expected that he will sign a four-year deal at Elland Road. Leeds have taken advantage of Bornauw entering the final year of his contract at Wolfsburg.

But this is not a signing Leeds have plucked out of thin air. This is a player that Daniel Farke has tried to sign in the past, with Farke’s requests still being listened to despite the change of transfer team at Leeds.

• READ MORE: Five facts on Sebastian Bornauw including his history and underwear superstition

Daniel Farke tried to sign Sebastiaan Bornauw while at Norwich

Back in 2021, Farke had just won his second Championship title with Norwich. The Canaries were looking to improve his side in order to give him the best chance of survival. Bornauw was identified as a target.

But, Bornauw chose to join Wolfsburg that summer from Koln, having joined the latter from boyhood side Anderlecht. Bornauw himself confirmed Norwich’s interest in an interview with Het Laaste Nieuws in 2021.

“Norwich and Crystal Palace were interested, as was Lazio, but Wolfsburg was the best choice at the time. The Bundesliga is not inferior to the Premier League, but one day, I want to make the step to England.”

That “one day” is now, as Sebastiaan Bornauw undergoes medical

The defender becomes the club’s third summer signing of the summer and second at centre-back, as Farke finally gets his man – a deal four years in the making. It will be interesting to see what now happens.

Leeds have five senior central defenders, as well as James Debayo. The Whites have told Max Wober he can leave but a penny should be given for Pascal Struijk’s thoughts, who is arguably now fourth choice.

Indeed, Rodon and Bijol are expected to start with Bornauw and Struijk playing second fiddle. Leeds still need a left-back and perhaps, Struijk is now seen as cover on the left flank, where he has played before.