Florian Plettenberg reports that Borussia Mönchengladbach central defender Nico Elvedi is currently undergoing his Leeds medical in Yorkshire. The Premier League move is expected to be completed soon. Gladbach are expected to receive approximately €10m and retain a 15 percent sell-on clause. Elvedi has already agreed personal terms with Leeds on a contract through 2029.
Get German Football Newsreported over the weekend that the framework of the transfer had been finalized, with one remaining obstacle involving Leeds defender Sebastiaan Bornauw. The Belgian’s prospective departure from Elland Road was viewed as the final domino required before Elvedi could complete his move. That obstacle now appears to have been removed. Bornauw has agreed to join Hamburg on loan with a reported €4-5m purchase option.
Provided Elvedi clears his medical, his departure will end an eleven-year association with Gladbach. The former FC Zürich defender arrived at Borussia-Park in 2015 and developed into one of the club’s longest-serving first-team regulars. His exit also forces another alteration to Eugen Polanski’s defensive plans.
Elvedi and Kevin Diks entered pre-season as the likely first-choice central defensive pairing, with Diks publicly expressing his desire to continue playing alongside the Swiss defender. The pair were expected to anchor Polanski’s move away from a back three toward a 4-2-3-1.
That projected partnership also featured prominently in GGFN’srecent Borussia Mönchengladbach 2026/27 tactical preview. Elvedi’s impending departure consequently leaves sporting director Rouven Schröder needing another centre-back before the transfer window closes.
Gladbach consider several Elvedi replacements
Sporting director Schröder has already confirmed that another defender will be required should Elvedi leave. According to Sport Bild, Birmingham City’s Phil Neumann and OH Leuven youngster Roggerio Nyakossi are among the candidates under consideration. Former Union Berlin centre-back Diogo Leite represents another potentially high-profile option following the expiry of his contract, though competition for the Portuguese defender could complicate matters financially.
Gladbach are also reportedly considering bringing Ko Itakura back to Borussia-Park from Ajax. The Japan international only left the club last summer and would offer immediate familiarity with both the Bundesliga and his former surroundings. Lausanne-Sport defender Karim Sow and Peñarol’s Nahuel Herrera, despite previous links, are reportedly no longer under consideration.