Leeds close in on £8.5m deal for Switzerland defender Elvedi

Leeds United have struck an agreement with Borussia Monchengladbach to sign Swiss defender Nico Elvedi in a deal worth up to £8.5m. The package consists of an initial £6.8m fee, with a further £1.7m available through add-ons.

Elvedi, 29, is due to travel to England on Monday for a medical, the customary final step before a transfer is confirmed. Should everything proceed smoothly, the move will bring an end to his eleven-year spell at the German top-flight club and see him join Leeds at Elland Road.

The versatile defender is a well-established figure in the Switzerland national team, having won 73 caps and featured for his country at this summer's World Cup.

Farke cautious on confirming deal

Speaking after Leeds' 4-0 pre-season victory over Augsburg, manager Daniel Farke declined to confirm the transfer outright, saying his experience in football has taught him that nothing is certain until medical checks are completed and paperwork signed. He added that he only discusses new signings once they are officially announced, while acknowledging that developments were expected within the next 48 hours.

Elvedi's arrival could pave the way for fringe Leeds defender Sebastiaan Bornauw to move to Hamburg on an initial loan deal that includes an option to buy.

Leeds will open their Premier League season next Saturday with an away fixture against Nottingham Forest.