Leeds United have reached a verbal agreement with Borussia Mönchengladbach for a €10m transfer of Nico Elvedi, plus a 15% sell-on clause, according to a report from Florian Plettenberg. Nico Elvedi, 29 years old, then missed Gladbach’s friendly against Aston Villa on Saturday, August 15, with the omission intended to protect negotiations from unnecessary complications.
There’s a catch. The deal hasn’t been completed.
Reports from today say Leeds United remain patient because Sebastiaan Bornauw’s situation needs to be resolved first, with Hamburg pursuing the Belgian defender. Borussia Mönchengladbach have yet to receive a concrete offer according to Bild, although the German club reportedly value Elvedi at around €10m and accept that his contract situation could encourage a sale.
T4O take: Leeds United would be buying experience, not potential
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Nico Elvedi #4 of Switzerland looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Qatar and Switzerland at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 13, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
That distinction matters. Elvedi played 33 Bundesliga matches last season, completing 2,967 minutes and keeping 13 clean sheets. He scored twice in three DFB-Pokal appearances, while available statistical records credit him with around 92% passing accuracy, 270 clearances and 41 interceptions.
He then started all six of Switzerland’s World Cup matches before Argentina eliminated them 3-1 in the quarter-final. FIFA confirms the result, while tournament records list Elvedi among Switzerland’s 2026 squad.
Leeds United could be getting a bargain
For me, this makes considerable sense. Daniel Farke knows Elvedi from their Gladbach days, so the manager already understands what he can ask from the centre-back. Being 6ft 2in, Elvedi brings aerial strength, clean distribution and the experience of a defender who has spent years operating inside Bundesliga pressure.
The fee looks especially attractive because Elvedi enters the final year of his Gladbach contract in 2027. Leeds survived last season with a 14th-place finish, yet Farke’s three-centre-back structure demands defenders who can shift across central and wider channels without disrupting the shape.
That makes Elvedi a much more logical replacement for Bornauw than a speculative signing. His defensive numbers support the case: 271 clearances, 30 blocked shots and 72 aerial duels won in Bundesliga data. If Bornauw completes the Hamburg move, Leeds United could sign a 29-year-old Swiss international for €10m while retaining 15% of any future sale. That’s smart squad building, provided the paperwork follows the agreement.