Nico Elvedi looks set to become Leeds United’s fourth acquisition of the summer transfer period this week.
The defender has been praised as a key player (Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media Getty Images)
Borussia Mönchengladbach manager Eugen Polanski has explained that his club’s decision to let Nico Elvedi leave for Leeds United came down to both financial considerations and the player’s own desire to move on.
The centre-back has flown into Britain and is expected to undergo his medical at Leeds shortly, with his signing anticipated to be announced within the next day or two. Leeds are believed to be paying approximately £8million for the 29-year-old.
Gladbach originally signed Elvedi from FC Zürich for roughly £3m eleven years ago. Elvedi, who has twelve months remaining on his current deal, has accumulated 364 appearances for his German club during that period, including 15 Champions League fixtures.
His manager, Polanski, heaped praise on Elvedi at the weekend but acknowledged he could not block his departure for two reasons. He told BILD that Elvedi was a real rock for the team and this was a big loss for the club. He added that the financial aspect played a role alongside Nico’s desire to leave after contributing so much to the club over eleven years, and as a result, they could not and did not wish to stand in his way.
Elvedi is being brought in to fill the gap left by Sebastiaan Bornauw’s impending transfer to Hamburg, a deal that was broadly agreed some time ago with Leeds looking to secure a replacement before finalising the Belgian’s departure.
Elvedi has earned 73 caps for Switzerland and featured in every match at the World Cup this summer as his country advanced to the quarter-finals. A right-footer, he has operated in both a three-man and four-man defensive system in recent seasons.
His arrival will represent Leeds’ fourth signing of the summer following those of Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford.