Bundesliga Chief Issues January Warning as Leeds United Outcast Attracts £5m Return Interest
Leeds United could be set for an early January departure as Sebastiaan Bornauw’s difficult spell at Elland Road continues, with Bundesliga interest gathering pace.
Despite an encouraging turnaround in Leeds’ Premier League fortunes under Daniel Farke, not all of the club’s summer signings have benefited from the resurgence. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goals, coupled with impressive displays from Anton Stach and Jaka Bijol following Farke’s switch to a 3-5-2 system, have helped steer the Whites away from immediate relegation danger.
However, Bornauw has been left firmly on the fringes. The Belgian defender has managed just two minutes of Premier League action since arriving in a deal worth around £5m, struggling to displace the established options in Farke’s back line.
Now, a January exit appears increasingly realistic. Reports suggest Bundesliga side FC Köln are keen on re-signing Bornauw, whom they previously enjoyed two solid seasons with between 2019 and 2021. Fuel was added to the speculation after Köln’s vice president publicly stated the club “can act” in the upcoming transfer window.
For Leeds, a move could free up wages and squad space, while Bornauw may welcome a return to familiar surroundings to revive his stalled career. With January approaching fast, all signs point towards a swift resolution.

