What Sebastiaan Bornauw wants next as Leeds United exit delayed
Hamburg have accepted that Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw will not be involved in their next game.
Daniel Farke confirmed this week that Bornauw is one of three Leeds players likely to exit, along with Joe Gelhardt and Lucas Perri.
Bornauw started and played a full part in Leeds' friendly with Manchester United in Dublin on Wednesday.
However, he has been strongly linked with an Elland Road exit just a year after arriving.
Farke and Leeds will not step in Bornauw's way should he wish to seek pastures new.
While Hamburg remain the strong favourites to land the defender, a move appears to have been delayed.
What is latest on Sebastiaan Bornauw to Hamburg?
Leeds are prepared to loan Bornauw to Hamburg with an option to buy at the end of the season.
That may seem strange to many as Bornauw remains an important squad player, with Leeds passing up the chance to recoup any money.
In a fresh update provided by Hamburger Morgenpost on Thursday evening, it is suggested that Bornauw is still one of Hamburg's top targets.
The one-time European Cup winners need a replacement for Luka Vuskovic, who starred on loan from Tottenham last season.
However, the report adds there is an acceptance Bornauw will not be signed in time to travel with the Hamburg squad to face Toulouse.
That is not to say a deal is off, but it will now likely be delayed until after the weekend.
Indeed, the report adds that Bornauw wants a new challenge away from West Yorkshire.
Could Bornauw have another Leeds game in him?
Farke will likely continue to select Bornauw while he is available, just as he did for the high-profile friendly with Man United at Croke Park.
That could potentially see the 27-year-old feature in Saturday's next friendly against Bundesliga outfit Augsburg at Elland Road.
If a deal is not as advanced as previously thought, there is no reason for Bornauw to not be involved once again.
But the longer-term picture is that the Belgium international will surely be a Hamburg player sooner rather than later, even if only for a season.