The Daily Bee (March 4th, 2020): BVB close to signing next English talent

• BVB agree terms with Jude Bellingham

It looks like Borussia Dortmund have managed to secure the signing of the next young British talent. According to Sport Bild, the black and yellows have agreed terms with Jude Bellingham, a 16-year-old central midfielder who is currently playing for Birmingham City ib the Championship. The report claims Dortmund would be willing to break their transfer record and sign the midfielder for 35€ million this summer.

Both Ruhr Nachrichten and kicker can confirm that a transfer is close, however there are still differences in their reports.

RN confirm that BVB and Bellingham have indeed an agreement for a transfer this summer but the transfer fee will be lower than 35€ million. Bellingham only has a “training contract” with Birmingham which he could terminate. Dortmund would only have to pay a “formation fee”. To avoid a legal battle both clubs could agree a low fee similar to Jadon Sancho’s transfer a few years ago.

Meanwhile kicker claim there is no agreement just yet but Dortmund are interested and have good chances to sign him. The transfer fee would be below the reported 35€ million.

So there are significant differences between the three outlets but it looks like Dortmund are about to sign one of the most promising young English players. Interestingly BVB are about to beat out virtually all of the Premier League top teams for Bellinghams signature.

• Gladbach vs BVB will be played

Despite some concerns because of a Corona virus outbreak in a suburb of Mönchengladbach the club has confirmed that the match will be played on Saturday.

• DFB Cup

Regionalliga Südwest side 1.FC Saarbrücken has reached the semifinal of the DFB Cup after their 7:6 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf in a penalty shootout. It marks the first time in history that a fourth division side has gone this far in the German Cup. Saarbrücken’s goalkeeper Daniel Batz was the hero of the night saving five (!) penalty kicks.

In the other match Bayern Munich won 1:0 against Schalke 04, the scoreline did not reflect how dominant Bayern were.

• BVB change summer plans (kicker)

Borussia Dortmund planned a summer trip to Asia but have scrapped those plans because of the Corona-virus according to BVB’s executive director Carsten Cramer:

“We had to make a risk assessment. And this risk assessment was at the expense of the trip. It makes no sense to fly. It is unpredictable how things will develop with the corona virus. We will not do anything that involves unnecessary risks. We owe it to the players and everyone involved to handle it responsibly. And if you can’t make sure of that, you shouldn’t go on a trip.”

The club will now look for alternatives in Europe or in the United States.