The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 24th December) Leeds to send Bornauw out on loan?
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Leeds to send Bornauw out on loan?
Sebastiaan Bornauw’s struggles for regular minutes has prompted fresh rumours of a winter return to his old club. According to German daily BILD, FC Köln have opened internal discussions about re-signing the Belgium international after centre-back partners Timo Hubers and Luca Kilian were sidelined for the rest of the campaign. Bornauw, 26, made 57 appearances for Köln between 2019 and 2021 before moving to Wolfsburg and, most recently, joining Leeds United for £5.1 million in July 2025. His Yorkshire stay has so far yielded only two Premier League outings, just two minutes in total, while ongoing injuries have also compounded his lack of game time.
Köln sporting director Christoph Spycher is a big fan of Bornauw, once describing him as a “dream signing”. The injury situation with the Bundesliga outfit could be a transfer of convenience for all concerned. Yet the German side acknowledge that a permanent transfer is unlikely given the Belgian’s contract at Leeds runs until 2029. A loan deal is the most feasible option, especially as Farke has settled on a back three in a 5-3-2 system, and has precious little cover at the heart of defence.
Farke has hinted that Bornauw will have to be patient if he is to dislodge the current centre-back partnership. “It’s always a bit tricky at centre-back, you don’t change it much,” Farke admitted recently. “Wingers, strikers, creative midfielders, you can rotate those. If you’re chasing a game, changing a centre-back doesn’t make much of an impact.” That comment has only fuelled speculation that Leeds might be willing to cut their losses on the Belgium international during the January window.
Furthermore, Leedsunited.news are reporting that the Whites are monitoring Nantes 17yo highly sought after defender Tylel Tati and powerful Wolfsberger’s Chibuike Nwaiwu, suggesting the 49ers are preparing contingency plans in case of Bornauw's exit. For Bornauw, a loan back to Köln would offer a clear path to first-team football and a chance to rekindle the form that earned him a move to the Premier League. Whether Leeds and his former German employers can strike a deal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: for a player hungry to play, the prospect of returning to familiar surroundings could be too tempting to ignore.
Stach back to his best
Anton Stach has finally shaken off a troublesome spell and returned to the type of commanding form that convinced the Whites to bring him to Elland Road. Battling a broken rib since the goaless draw to Newcastle, the German international displayed admirable courage to carry on, but it was obvious to make that whilst recovering, he should not have been anywhere near pitch side. A fractured rib makes deep breathes agonising, forcing shallow breathing and drastically reducing oxygen uptake, obviously critical for sustaining high-intensity runs and sharp pressing. On top of that, core rotations and explosive movements; twisting, sprinting, even jumping, send stabbing pains through the torso, while the intercostal muscle strain that often accompanies a break leaves the body vulnerable to knocks and physical duels.
With the rib now healed and his pain threshold back to normal, Stach has rediscovered his best form. Last weekend’s home game against Crystal Palace saw him dominate the middle of the park, linking defence and attack with precision and timing. His tireless work rate, smooth distribution and intelligent positioning culminated in a well-taken free-kick for his third goal of the season, earning loud cheers around the South Stand and praise from one of Leeds’s most respected figures.
Former England left-back Tony Dorigo, a key member of Howard Wilkinson’s 1991–92 First Division–winning side, was full of admiration on LUTV after the match. “Not only was the free-kick very good, the way that he played was probably one of his best games,” Dorigo said. “He was drifting in and out of the game a little bit before he got injured, which was understandable. That broken rib made life very difficult for him physically and mentally. But he’s coming back and tonight he was all action, everywhere on the pitch. His performance was capped off by an excellent goal.”
Dorigo’s endorsement carries weight among Leeds supporters, many of whom were initially unsure how Stach’s skill set would translate to English football. The praise highlights not only the midfielder’s technical quality but also his resilience in overcoming a painful setback. As Leeds push on in the Premier League, Stach’s revival couldn’t come at a better time. With his body pain-free and his confidence restored, the 27-year-old German could yet prove one of the signing coups of the summer, and a vital cog in Farke's rejuvenated squad.