NafisaLeeds United appear to be edging closer to completing a deal for Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi, with the latest development suggesting Daniel Farke could soon have another major defensive reinforcement at Elland Road.
The Whites have been working on a move for the Switzerland international as they prepare for another demanding Premier League campaign, with Sebastiaan Bornauw expected to leave the club for Hamburg.
Elvedi has emerged as the preferred solution to fill that gap, and there is now growing optimism that the 29-year-old could soon become the latest addition to Farke’s squad.
The deal had appeared to hit a complication earlier on Saturday, with Gladbach understood to want a suitable replacement before sanctioning Elvedi’s departure.
There was also the issue of Leeds needing to meet the Bundesliga club’s valuation.
However, the situation appears to have changed.
Nico Elvedi transfer takes another step forward:
Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has provided the latest clue that negotiations could now be moving towards a conclusion.
Plettenberg had previously reported that Elvedi had agreed a three-year contract with Leeds, suggesting that the player himself had already given the green light to the proposed move.
He has now returned to that post with a cryptic update consisting of a siren emoji, an arrow pointing towards “soon”, a locked padlock with a key and the Swiss flag.
While the message does not officially confirm that the transfer has been completed, it has inevitably fuelled speculation that Leeds are now closing in on getting the deal over the line.
For Farke, that would represent another important piece of business.
The German coach already knows Elvedi from his time managing Gladbach, having worked with the defender during the 2022/23 campaign.
That familiarity could be particularly valuable as Leeds attempt to strengthen a defence that is undergoing another significant reshuffle.
Leeds preparing for another defensive change
Leeds have already replaced Pascal Struijk this summer with the £34million arrival of Tarik Muharemovic.
Bornauw’s expected departure, however, means another change is required.
Farke has made it clear that he would ideally have liked to keep the Belgian, but Bornauw is believed to be keen on returning to Germany in search of more regular football.
Elvedi therefore makes plenty of sense.
The Switzerland international has spent the vast majority of his career in Germany and has accumulated extensive Bundesliga experience. He is also capable of operating in both a back four and a back three, giving Farke another tactical option.
That versatility could prove particularly useful given the different defensive systems Leeds used during the previous campaign.
More importantly, Elvedi would not be arriving as an inexperienced prospect who needs several months to understand the demands of senior football.
He has already played at Champions League and Europa League level and has earned more than 70 international caps for Switzerland.
For a Leeds side attempting to establish itself in the Premier League, that experience could be invaluable.
Leeds still have plenty more business to complete
Elvedi would not be the end of Leeds’ summer recruitment.
The Whites have already enjoyed a productive window, beginning with the free transfer of Harry Wilson before making significant investments in Muharemovic and club-record signing James Trafford.
Trafford’s arrival solved one of Farke’s biggest problems in goal, although his arrival is expected to be followed by Lucas Perri’s departure.
That means Leeds may still need another goalkeeper to provide competition and cover.
The left-back position is another area requiring attention.
Gabriel Gudmundsson currently lacks significant natural competition on that side, meaning Farke is expected to continue looking for another option before the transfer window closes.
Then there is the attack.
Leeds remain interested in adding further quality in the final third, with another striker and potentially a versatile attacking midfielder among the positions that could still be addressed.
But securing Elvedi would allow Farke to tick another major box.
The defender already knows his manager, has considerable top-level experience and appears increasingly close to making the move to Yorkshire.
For Leeds supporters, that mysterious update from Plettenberg may not constitute a “done deal” just yet.
But with Elvedi reportedly already agreeing personal terms and the transfer now seemingly accelerating, the Switzerland international could be very close to following Muharemovic through the Elland Road door.
Nafisa
