They claim that being available is the best ability. And it is surely one quality that Leeds United will value, given talks of a possible reunion with one of Daniel Farke’s old favourites.
Because, while the prospects of a central defensive signing at Elland Road look to be dwindling as the deadline approaches – Daniel Farke’s current focus appears to be an Emi Buendia-like number ten – Nico Elvedi might still join Leeds United in 2025.
With his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach expiring in the summer, Leeds may save a reported £8 million by waiting until the veteran Swiss international becomes a free agent.
This method may also appeal to the Elvedi camp. If he has reservations about leaving the Bundesliga for England’s second division, those concerns will be alleviated if Leeds, as expected, return to the Premier League in May.
Elvedi’s departure from Borussia Park is unavoidable, given that contract negotiations have dragged on for months with no end in sight.
However, when the time comes to say those tear-stained goodbyes, Elvedi will go with a place in Monchengladbach history to call his own. If he plays against relegation-threatened Bochum on Saturday, the former FC Zurich goalkeeper will replace Yan Sommer as the foreign player with the most Bundesliga matches in a Gladbach shirt.
Leeds United plans to sign Nico Elvedi,
who currently holds the Bundesliga record of 272. The same number as his Swiss teammate and current Inter Milan goalkeeper Sommer.
Elvedi, in his testimonial year as a Gladbach player, has amassed an incredible 315 appearances across all competitions. That’s an average of more than 30 games every season.
In that time, he has missed less than 40 games due to injuries. In fact, Elvedi’s longest absence from action was in 2017, when he was sidelined for just under two months.
Leeds may thus be acquiring not only a dependable, sturdy, ball-playing center defense with a wealth of experience, but also one who seldom misses a minute due to injury or illness.
Elvedi would bring longevity, undoubtedly, but also a nearly flawless availability record.
Farke even called Nico Elvedi one of Europe’s best defenders during their brief time together in Germany in 2022/23. Elvedi appeared in all but two of Gladbach’s 34 Bundesliga games that season.
“Nico Elvedi is an absolute leader for us,” Farke stated to the Rheinische Post at the time. “When at his peak, he is one of Europe’s top central defenders. He’s demonstrated it throughout the years.”
Daniel Farke shares good thoughts. Pascal Struijk updates as Leeds’ defensive fears fade.
Elvedi isn’t the only center-back linked with a move to West Yorkshire this month. Leeds United reportedly bid for Abdukodir Khusanov before Manchester City spent £33 million, and conversations were also done with Nottingham Forest midfielder Andrew Omobamidele.
Omobamidele instead joined Ligue 1 club Strasbourg on loan.
Perhaps the lack of defensive movement is due in large part to Ethan Ampadu’s outstanding return to duty, as well as some encouraging news about Pascal Struijk’s fitness.
Daniel Farke is hopeful that Struijk will return to Leeds sooner rather than later, with his absence lasting weeks rather than months.
“The scan was very good,” Farke told reporters following Leeds’ 2-0 victory over Norwich on Wednesday night. “The tendon wasn’t implicated. We can be more progressive with his rehabilitation.
“We have him outside; in a few more days, he will be back in team training. It looks great. “He won’t be out for 10 weeks, which is good news.”
