Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Tue 19 May 2026 9:10, UK

Sebastiaan Bornauw could potentially be on his way out of Leeds United in the upcoming transfer window.

The Belgium international has been a bit-part player for Daniel Farke this season and he may be looking for pastures new in the summer.

Former Whites defender Stephen Warnock believes the West Yorkshire outfit need to be ruthless in the coming months and build a competitive squad after securing Premier League survival.

Bournauw’s future at Elland Road remains uncertain as he struggles for regular game time, with the German manager relying on the likes of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk.

Farke expects 49ers Enterprises to give him the tools to succeed at the Peacocks and a few players will surely be looking over their shoulder in LS11.

Lucas Perri and Ilia Gruev should be worried at Leeds United

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post on 18 May, Warnock said, “I don’t think Leeds can afford to carry people within the squad. I think what they have to have is a starting 15 or 16, and that is more important than having a big squad with players that aren’t really going to start. They’re just there to come on for the last 15 to 20 minutes. I do think they’ve got to be as ruthless as they can be.”

Apart from 27-year-old Bornauw, Lucas Perri and Ilia Gruev are the two other Leeds stars most likely to be affected in a mass clear-out.

The Brazilian goalkeeper signed for the Whites last summer, but already seems to be on his way out after losing his starting spot to Karl Darlow.

As for Gruev, the West Yorkshire outfit have plenty of quality options in the middle of the park and they can surely sacrifice one piece to reinforce a different area of the pitch.

There are a few more players who could leave, but Bornauw, Perri and the 26-year-old Bulgaria international clearly have the most to lose.

Daniel Farke to sanction plenty more Elland Road exits

Wilfried Gnonto is attracting interest away from Leeds ahead of the summer and the Italian youngster’s diminishing role at Elland Road means Farke could be open to his sale.

Joel Piroe has also fallen down the pecking order at the Whites and probably played his final appearances in LS11 against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sam Byram also came on in the final minutes of the 1-0 victory in West Yorkshire, with Illan Meslier also taking in the surroundings after the full-time whistle for possibly the last time.

Facundo Buonanotte is also expected to go back to the Seagulls after a disastrous loan spell with Peacocks, and a summer of change could be on the horizon.