What Leeds United have said about Sebastiaan Bornauw exit as transfer speculation grows

Sebastiaan Bornauw has been at the heart of transfer speculation for what feels like months at Leeds United.

The Belgian defender arrived at Elland Road from Wolfsburg after promotion to the Premier League.

£5million was parted with to sign Bornauw, but he remained on the fringes of Daniel Farke's squad throughout the year.

And now, it appears that Bornauw could cut his time short in LS11.

Despite featuring regularly in pre-season, speculation refuses to go away with a Bundesliga return to Hamburg on the cards.

Bornauw is part of very limited depth in defence for Leeds, so naturally, fans have been left with several questions.

Would Leeds United really sell Sebastiaan Bornauw?

On paper, he wouldn't be a huge loss.

But, when you look at the squad as a whole at Elland Road, it would leave more questions than answers.

Farke switching to a five-at-the-back formation last season left Bornauw as the only genuine cover centrally.

James Justin did play there when needed, but he's a full-back by trade and can't cover the entire defence alone.

Despite that, Beren Cross has revealed that Leeds have acknowledged interest in Bornauw and say a deal could happen.

It's Hamburg that are interested in the defender, and on their end, they are confident a transfer could be sorted by the end of the week.

Pascal Struijk has already left for £18million, and Leeds are under no pressure to sell, so this one feels strange.

What are Leeds planning in defence?

In pre-season, Farke has stuck with his three central defenders.

But, he's made it no secret that he still plans to use four-at-the-back formations when they are required.

Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson fit into this system perfectly, with more cover at the back with the Bosnian, and the winger who can drift inside when needed.

But if Bornauw leaves, there is nobody else behind Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol, so it can't be allowed to happen.

Alfie Cresswell is promising, but young, and Justin can't cover everything, as mentioned.

So, if Bornauw does leave only one week before the Premier League season starts, Leeds don't need one central defender, they need two.