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Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw lined up for exit as Bundesliga outfit Hamburg close in An update on the future of Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw as Hamburg close in Bundesliga outfit Hamburg are edging closer to the signing of Sebastiaan Bornauw from Leeds United. The defender only arrived at Elland Road last summer, sealing a move from Wolfsburg for a reported £5.1m fee. He made just five Premier League starts last season, finding himself below Joe Rodon, Pascal Strujk and Jaka Bijol in the pecking order. Struijk has since left for Brighton & Hove Albion, but has been replaced by Tarik Muharemović. German clubs FC Cologne and Hamburg have both been linked with Bornauw, who has been part of Leeds’ pre-season preparations and started in their recent friendly win over RB Leipzig. Sebastiaan Bornauw nears Leeds United exit The Yorkshire Post understands reports of Hamburg closing in on Bornauw’s signature are accurate, with the six-cap Belgium international moving towards the exit door at Elland Road. It remains to be seen whether the proposed deal will get over the line, and whether it will see the centre-back move out on loan or seal a permanent switch. If Bornauw does indeed depart, Leeds manager Daniel Farke will have just three natural centre-backs at his disposal in Rodon, Bijol and Muharemović. However, Farke has previously deployed full-back James Justin in a central role and midfielder Ethan Ampadu can also deputise. Leeds also have the option of entering the transfer market in search of depth, with the window open until September 1. Sebastiaan Bornauw’s bit-part role at Leeds United In the early stages of last season, when quizzed about Bornauw’s lack of action, Leeds manager Farke said: “He’s a really really good player and we are there with not one problem so far in the centre-back position. “He has to just to be patient a little bit because I can’t blame any of the other guys because they have rarely put a foot wrong. “Even Jaka Bijol has not done a foot wrong and would not be deserved to take Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk out at the moment. “It’s tough for Sebastiaan right now because not to make it into the matchday squad for player of his calibre is difficult. It’s one of the the most difficult decisions at the moment. But this is how professional football works.”