Leeds United summer signing Sebastian Bornau has already been linked with a sudden departure from Elland Road, just months after arriving in West Yorkshire.
The Belgian international joined the club with high expectations, but as the January transfer window approaches, he could end up returning to Germany quickly.
Sebastian Bornau hints at possibility of return to Germany
According to a recent report in Germany’s Bild newspaper, FC Köln have held internal negotiations regarding a possible January transfer for the 26-year-old defender.
Sebastian Bornau is a familiar face at the Rheinergiestadion, having spent two successful years with the Billy Goats before leaving to return to Wolfsburg in 2021.
The Bundesliga side are currently going through an injury crisis in their defense and see Bornau as the ideal candidate to stabilize their backline.
The report suggests Cologne are likely to seek a loan deal over the winter window in a bid to capitalize on his lack of playing time in the Premier League.
Since his £5.1m summer move, Bornau has struggled to break into the starting XI, making a temporary departure a very reasonable solution for all involved.
Leeds United have turned their season around with a new formation
While Bornau found himself on the fringes of the team, Leeds United managed to ignite their season with a series of impressive performances.
After a difficult start to the 2025/26 season, manager Daniel Farke’s tactical changes have completely changed the team’s fortunes.
The decision to adjust the formation to a 3-5-2 system gave Leeds much-needed solidity.
This tactical adjustment led to a series of positive results, most notably a resounding 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace and a spirited 3-1 victory over Chelsea.
Los Blancos secured important points despite a high-scoring draw with the likes of Liverpool, allowing them to escape from the relegation zone.
However, the success of the current defensive trio leaves little room for rotation, making Bornau redundant for the demands.
