Leeds United‘s Sebastiaan Bornauw is back on 1. FC Köln’s transfer list for this summer.
The 27-year-old left the Bundesliga side for VfL Wolfsburg in 2021, and the latter sold him to Leeds United in July 2025.
He had a difficult start to his life at Elland Road and waited until December to make his Premier League debut. The centre-back finished that month with two minutes and enjoyed more game time in January.
Bornauw’s restricted role in the first half of the season convinced FC Köln to bring him back in January.
That month, their vice-president, Ulf Sobek, said they will wait until the end of the winter market for him. However, a move never took shape as the Belgian is still with the Whites.
He finished his debut season at Leeds United with 433 minutes from 12 matches [five starts].
Transfer door still open for Leeds United man
Bild say Sebastiaan Bornauw was ‘close to a move’ to 1. FC Köln in the last window, when reporitng on their latest interest.
The January disappointment hasn’t put off the German club, who can return for him as the defender is still a target.
FC Köln sporting director Thomas Kessler is also in talks with two other defenders. If he fails to sign both, the Belgian will then be the first choice to improve their defence.
As of now, the Leeds United man’s return to his former club is ‘not off the table’. However, a move will only go through if Daniel Farke’s side were to sanction a loan move.
There’s no indication whether the Premier League side are open to letting him leave on loan.
Summer exit beneficial for player
Sebastiaan Bornauw is likely to hold talks with Daniel Farke to understand where he would fit into his plans next season.
If there’s no assurance of a regular game time, it would be best for the centre-back to move elsewhere, even if it’s on loan.
His contract runs down in 2029, and the restricted role at Leeds United didn’t impact his value. It dropped from €7m in June 2025 to €5m in December before rising to €8m in March as per Transfermarkt.
