The Daily Bee (January 2nd, 2020): BVB set asking price for Alcacer

• Schmelzer almost left BVB (kicker)

Marcel Schmelzer has talked to kicker about his career at BVB, what led to his decision to give up the captaincy and his desire to join another club. One of the most interesting parts of the interview is the revelation that Schmelzer could have left BVB last summer for another club:

“From my side, everything was cleared up with a club from abroad, which would also have made it possible for me to work as a trainer in a highly regarded training complex - parallel to the training and game operation. That was for me back then almost the most important point in the discussions because I want to work in this area after my career. It was an extremely exciting overall package and fit perfectly.“

However, Dortmund refused to let him leave for no clear reason because they obviously don’t plan with him to get regular minutes anymore as he himself has noted:

“I had to accept that, even though I was very disappointed. Because at that time I already had the feeling that I would hardly get any chances. And so it happened ... “

• BVB willing to let Alcacer go for a high fee (Bild)

Bild claim Borussia Dortmund are indeed willing to listen to offers for Paco Alcacer after buying Erling Haaland, however, the reported fee is rather high at 40€ million. BVB only paid 23€ million in 2018 for the striker to Barcelona. According to Marca Atletico Madrid would be interested to bring Paco back to Spain but the club would have to sell players first.

Keeping unhappy players is rarely a good idea but BVB already experienced what it’s like with just one striker on the roster. Keeping Alcacer as a super-sub would be a good idea if they can convince the Spaniard to stay. Otherwise they might just end up with the same problems, being over-reliant on one striker who hopefully won’t get injured.

• Hertha interested in Dahoud (Sport Bild)

Last summer Hertha BSC Berlin got a new investor and have money to spend now. The club has already been linked with Julian Weigl and Mario Götze and are now interested in the third BVB-players, Mahmoud Dahoud.

Sport Bild claims the midfielder would be willing to talk to Hertha, although it is questionable that Dortmund would sell another central midfielder after letting Julian Weigl go.