Leeds United have kicked off their summer recruitment drive with an opening verbal offer of €8.5m for Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi.
Leeds United make €8.5m transfer bid for Nico Elvedi
According to reports from German publication BILD, as relayed by Sport Witness, the unexpected approach has rattled the Bundesliga outfit. They have a massive headache on their hands. The 29-year-old Swiss international is now entering the final year of his contract. Gladbach director of football Rouven Schröder has to sell him now if the club want to get a decent fee. Elvedi has turned down every single contract extension put in front of him. His heart is set on England.
Gladbach officials are absolutely terrified of losing another star asset for nothing, a script they have seen play out far too many times in recent windows. Schröder is trying to act calm in public, but everyone in the boardroom knows Leeds United are the only show in town right now. Even so, the German club immediately knocked back the opening €8.5m offer. They want much more for their defensive lynchpin.
Daniel Farke targets familiar faces for Leeds United
ST GALLEN, SWITZERLAND – MAY 31: Nico Elvedi of Switzerland during the international friendly match between Switzerland and Jordan at Kybunpark on May 31, 2026 in St Gallen, Switzerland. (Photo by Sona Maleterova/Getty Images)
Daniel Farke knows exactly what he is getting here. Having worked closely with the Swiss defender during his own stint in Germany, the Leeds boss understands Elvedi’s game inside out. Elland Road desperately needs that kind of experience. €8.5m won’t cut it, though. West Yorkshire chiefs must swallow their pride and push that valuation closer to the €12m mark to break Gladbach’s resolve.
Paying a little extra makes total sense. Why risk millions on unproven talent from the lower leagues when you can land a proven operator? Farke’s system demands a centre-back who can comfortably orchestrate play from the back. Elvedi fits that blueprint perfectly. Last season, he racked up 33 appearances for Gladbach, routinely hitting over 50 passes a match with a passing accuracy north of 90 per cent. He absorbs pressure effortlessly. He doesn’t panic. He also averaged a massive 12 clearances per game when under the cosh in high-intensity domestic fixtures.
Look at his current form. The defender has 70 caps for Switzerland and is currently starring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he just dropped a masterclass against Canada by misplacing just a handful of his 54 passes. He dominates in the air. He commands his box. If Leeds want to secure a leader who can transform their backline, they need to cut the small talk, put a formal written bid on the table, and wrap this deal up before other European clubs wake up to the bargain.
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