Good Morning. It's Thursday 6th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Hamburger SV plot Bornauw capture
Hamburger SV have confirmed their interest in Leeds United defender Sebastiaan Bornauw, with the Belgian centre-back emerging as one of the club's leading targets as they look to strengthen their defence ahead of the new season. HSV sporting director Claus Costa has acknowledged that Bornauw is firmly on the club's radar, although he stressed that no move is currently imminent. Bornauw has been one of Leeds United's standout performers throughout pre-season, producing a series of composed displays, impressing fans and strengthened his case for regular minutes under Daniel Farke.Hamburg are actively searching for a commanding central defender following the departure of Luka Vušković, with Bornauw reportedly viewed as their preferred option to anchor a back three. The 27-year-old's wealth of Bundesliga experience makes him an obvious candidate. Across spells with FC Köln and VfL Wolfsburg, Bornauw made more than 150 Bundesliga appearances, establishing himself as a reliable and physically imposing defender.
Despite his impressive pre-season form, competition for places at Elland Road has intensified following the arrival of Tarik Muharemović. With Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol also competing for central defensive roles, Bornauw faces a battle for a starting place. However, Leeds have assembled a squad capable of coping with the demands of the Premier League, and quality depth will be essential across a long campaign. Given Bornauw's recent performances, allowing him to leave would significantly weaken Leeds' defensive options.
Reports from Germany have suggested that Bornauw could be open to leaving in search of more regular first-team football, although those claims remain unconfirmed. Financially, any transfer is unlikely to be straightforward. Leeds paid around £5.1m (€6m) to sign the Belgian defender, while his current market value is estimated at around €8m. With his contract running until 2029, Leeds are under no pressure to sell.
German reports have indicated that Hamburg would prefer a loan deal with an option to buy, but from a Leeds perspective that would appear difficult to justify, especially if the Whites continue to play a back five next season. Whether Hamburg return with a formal offer remains to be seen, but this is certainly a transfer story worth keeping an eye on over the coming weeks.
Interest from Leeds scuppers Deossa move to Brazil
With Fulham expected to complete the signing of Shea Charles, Leeds have switched their attention to Real Betis midfielder Nelson Deossa. Club scouts travelled to Dublin last night to watch the 26-year-old in action against Arsenal. Deossa certainly caught the eye, scoring a stunning long-range goal in an impressive display that will have done nothing to cool the growing interest in his services. Leeds were not the only club represented in the stands. Scouts from West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town and Hull City were also in attendance, highlighting the increasing competition for one of South America's most highly-rated midfielders.Deossa had appeared destined for a move to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, with a deal reportedly close to completion. However, negotiations have since stalled. The Colombian is understood to favour a move to England, viewing the Premier League as the ideal next step in his career. Betis only signed Deossa from Mexican side Monterrey last summer for £9.5m (€11m), with Monterrey retaining a 15% sell-on clause. Vasco's proposed package, worth up to £10.2m, included an obligation to buy, but Betis are now expected to demand closer to £15m if they are to part with the midfielder, particularly with Premier League interest continuing to grow.
Standing at 6ft 1in, Deossa possesses exactly the type of physical profile Daniel Farke has been looking to add this summer. Powerful, athletic and comfortable in possession, he is primarily a central or box-to-box midfielder but has also been deployed further forward by Manuel Pellegrini during pre-season, demonstrating his tactical versatility. His ability to drive forward with the ball, cover ground and contribute in the final third would give Leeds another dynamic option in midfield, while his strength and mobility appear well suited to the demands of Daniel Farke.
Leeds United working on 'incredible' weapon ahead of new campaign
Leeds United's long throws could become an even more potent attacking weapon this season after Brenden Aaronson revealed Ethan Ampadu has returned with an even more devastating delivery. The Whites turned their captain's long throw into a genuine set-piece threat last season, regularly packing the penalty area and treating throw-ins like corners. It proved highly effective during the 2025/26 campaign, none more so than in the 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace, when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice from almost identical Ampadu deliveries.History repeated itself during Sunday's 4-2 pre-season victory over Liverpool in Chicago. Ampadu's trademark missiles into the box caused chaos once again, with Calvert-Lewin twice finding the net after clever flick-ons from Joe Rodon and Sebastiaan Bornauw. It was another reminder that Leeds now possess a weapon capable of unsettling even the strongest defences. Aaronson, who also scored in the comeback win over Liverpool, believes Ampadu has somehow taken his throws to another level.
Ethan came back and started throwing it about 20 yards further and 20 yards harder. I don't know... it's incredible. He's got an unbelievable throw. Dom is someone that, in the box, he's a poacher. He's unbelievable at getting on the end of things. That also goes for the guys that don't get the goal but flick it on.
We do work on it. We put a lot of time into set-pieces because they're big. Look at Arsenal last year. I don't think they scored every goal to win the league off that, but a lot were set-pieces, so it's something to get better at.
It's amazing to have the fan support when you come over here and see as many Leeds fans as I saw. Normally it's just the big clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City that have had success over the last 10 years, but to see Leeds United up there too is amazing. It's amazing to be part of this club."
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Leeds' newfound success from long throws is how long it took them to embrace the tactic. For years, Leeds supporters watched opposition teams use long throws to devastating effect at Elland Road, while the Whites rarely attempted to exploit the same opportunity themselves. Time and again, Leeds looked vulnerable defending them, yet never seemed interested in making them part of their own attacking armoury. That all changed last season.
With Ethan Ampadu's exceptional throwing ability and the arrival of dominant aerial players such as Joe Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Anton Stach and DCL, Leeds finally recognised the value of treating throw-ins as genuine attacking set-pieces rather than simply a way to restart play. The results have been immediate. Opposition defenders are forced deeper, goalkeepers come under pressure, and every long throw into the penalty area creates uncertainty.
In the Premier League, where matches are often decided by the finest of margins, those extra goals from dead-ball situations can make a massive difference as to whether Leeds finish their campaign next season. If Aaronson is right and Ampadu's throw has somehow become even longer and faster over the summer, Leeds may have stumbled upon one of the top flights most underrated attacking weapons. After years of ignoring an obvious opportunity, the Whites finally appear to have a set-piece strategy that Premier League defenders will dread facing, especially with the height advantage Leeds have over their opponents.
