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Reus, Piszczek and Hakimi joined the team during their US-tour to start their preparations for the upcoming season but it’s possible that all three won’t play in Dortmund’s last pre-season friendly against Benfica. Favre estimated that all three would be ready to play “20 minutes maximum” but added “does that make sense?”. It’s Favre’s decision but ultimately it would probably be nice if the American fans could see Reus play up close even if it’s just 20 minutes.
Meanwhile Raphael Guerreiro and Thomas Delaney have started to train with BVBII until the team gets back from the United States. Akanji, Kagawa and Bürki will join them later on which means that Favre will finally have the full team together when BVB start their training camp in Bad Ragaz.
André Schürrle is currently undergoing a medical before his move to Fulham. The winger will move on loan to the Premier League and play next season for Fulham. BVB probably hope that he’ll play well so he can move permanently next summer.
It has been rumored for days now and it seems BVB wants to get the deal for Witsel done. According to Het Laatste Nieuws Borussia Dortmund have offered 20€ million to Tianjin Quanjian for the midfielder. Witsel himself is said to have asked for some time to come to a decision between BVB and PSG, the French club would prefer to sign Kanté but are also interested in Witsel. The player himself would earn 12€ million if he chooses to join Dortmund.
Hans-Joachim Watzke gave an interview to Sport Bild and talked about BVB and transfers in general.
Let’s start with his comments on transfer fees: “The transfer fees alone don’t have significance anymore. With transfers of this magnitude it’s about the entire package. We have to detach ourselves from transfer fees and analyze and assess the player from a sporting and economic perspective. If I invest 100€ million in a player that is 30 or older, those 100€ million are gone. You can’t sell that player later on. If I - and this is just a made up example - could have signed Kylian Mbappé for 100€ million, I would’ve done it immediately. The chance would be pretty big to sell him with a profit later.”
He continued: “Top players don’t cost 50€ million anymore they cost 100€ million. We could do that if we really want the player and are 1000% convinced of the player. But I’m honest, I’d rather develop these players ourselves. BVB was always strongest when we could develop our stars ourselves.”
He also talked about Mandzukic being unrealistic because “Juventus doesn’t want to sell him” and that he would spend 100€ million on Robert Lewandowski if he had the choice but that is of course completely unrealistic.