NafisaLeeds United are edging closer to another important piece of summer transfer business, with Nico Elvedi now expected to arrive in the UK earlier than initially planned.
The Switzerland international has been one of Daniel Farke’s preferred defensive targets for much of the summer, and the long-running pursuit is finally reaching its conclusion.
An agreement worth £8.5 million has been reached with Borussia Monchengladbach, paving the way for Elvedi to make the move to Elland Road.
But while his arrival is a major development in itself, there is much more happening behind the scenes.
Because Elvedi’s journey to England is not simply about adding another defender to Farke’s squad.
It also appears to have triggered a chain reaction that will see several Leeds players head towards the exit door.
Nico Elvedi will arrive earlier than expected
Elvedi was initially expected to travel to England on Monday before undergoing his medical and completing the formalities of his Leeds transfer.
However, LeedsLive journalist Isaac Johnson has now reported that the 29-year-old will instead fly into the UK on Sunday evening.
That brings the defender one step closer to officially becoming a Leeds United player.
The move has been some time in the making, with Farke particularly keen on Elvedi given their previous relationship at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Swiss defender has also accumulated vast Bundesliga experience and should provide Farke with another experienced option at the heart of his defence.
But his arrival has consequences for another member of the squad.
Sebastiaan Bornauw given green light to leave
Elvedi’s imminent arrival means Sebastiaan Bornauw has now been given permission to leave Leeds.
The Belgian defender has been linked with Hamburg for much of the summer and is expected to complete a move to the Bundesliga club.
Bornauw’s Leeds career has never quite developed as expected.
He arrived from Wolfsburg last summer but struggled to establish himself as a regular under Farke, making just a handful of Premier League starts.
His situation became even clearer after Farke left him on the bench during Leeds’ final pre-season game against Augsburg.
Now, with Elvedi coming through the door, the path appears clear for Bornauw to depart.
He is expected to join Hamburg on an initial loan deal, with the German club having an option to make the transfer permanent next summer.
Lucas Perri also heading out
Bornauw is not the only Leeds player whose future is being resolved.
Lucas Perri is also on the verge of leaving Elland Road, with the Brazilian goalkeeper set to join Torino on a loan-to-buy arrangement.
The arrival of James Trafford effectively changed Perri’s position within Farke’s squad.
Having previously been Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper, Perri has now found himself surplus to requirements following Trafford’s club-record arrival from Manchester City.
Torino have been pushing to get the deal completed, and his departure should finally provide greater clarity around Leeds’ goalkeeping situation.
But there is another potentially significant exit still hanging over the club.
Joel Piroe’s Leeds future remains uncertain
Joel Piroe’s position at Elland Road remains one of the biggest unresolved issues of the summer.
The Suriname international has found himself pushed down the pecking order and is no longer considered a central part of Farke’s plans.
West Ham have now emerged as a potential bidder for the striker, adding another layer of uncertainty to his future.
And his departure could be crucial to what Leeds do next.
The Whites still want to bring in another forward, but adding another striker could depend heavily on whether Piroe leaves.
That makes the next few weeks particularly important.
Is Farke preparing one final attacking move?
Elvedi will become Leeds’ fourth new signing of the summer, following Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford.
That is already a significant amount of business.
But there remains an obvious gap in Farke’s squad.
Leeds need another striker.
One name beginning to attract more attention is Ermedin Demirovic, with the Stuttgart forward also a Bosnia and Herzegovina international alongside Muharemovic.
His profile would certainly make sense for a Leeds side looking for another option in the final third.
There is also interest surrounding Lyon attacker Pavel Sulc.
The Czech Republic international is capable of operating in several attacking positions, although his strongest role is generally considered to be behind the main striker.
That could make him an alternative option rather than a direct replacement for Piroe.
Leeds could still spring a surprise
Perhaps the most interesting part of the situation is that Leeds’ next target may not be anybody currently dominating the headlines.
The club’s transfer business has often had a habit of suddenly accelerating once negotiations reach an advanced stage.
That means supporters should not necessarily assume the names currently being discussed are the only possibilities.
Elvedi’s arrival will close one chapter of Leeds’ summer recruitment, but it could also open another.
With Bornauw and Perri heading towards the exit, Piroe’s future uncertain and Farke still looking for attacking reinforcements, there is plenty happening at Elland Road.
The Swiss defender’s Sunday arrival is therefore more than just another transfer milestone.
It could be the moment Leeds’ next phase of summer business begins — and Farke may not be finished strengthening his squad just yet.
Nafisa
