Potential Summer Transfer Targets for Borussia Dortmund

The January transfer window is now open until the end of the month. Unfortunately, there is unlikely to be any excitement for Borussia Dortmund fans, as BVB are unlikely to make any major acquisitions during this window, due to financial restrictions related to the pandemic. The club recorded losses of €43.9 million for the 2019/20 year, and the lack of fans this season will only increase those losses. Even if the club sells Sancho for a figure north of €100 million this summer, they will still need to be frugal with their summer signings. With that in mind, I have put together this list of transfer targets whose contracts are expiring in the summer or whose teams are relegation candidates.

Note: It is also worth noting that Brexit may complicate the transfer process for players who currently belong to English clubs.

Strikers

Arkadiusz Milik

Club: SSC Napoli

Age: 26

Nationality: Polish

Value: €22m

Contract Expires: Summer 2021

Milik has yet to appear for Napoli this season. He refused to sign a new contract over the summer in hopes of forcing a move. However, that move did not materialize. He has been linked with Marseille lately, but nothing has materialized as of yet. He will likely demand a high wage, but that could be offset by the savings from not paying a transfer fee. Milik would be a great signing if we were to lose Haaland in the summer. He has experience playing alone or alongside another striker, most notably Robert Lewandowski with the Polish national team, which should put to rest any worries that his addition would stunt Moukoko’s development. I happen to believe that Moukoko is best suited to play alongside a taller striker, and Milik fits the bill.

Nils Petersen

Club: SC Freiburg

Age: 32

Nationality: German

Value: €5m

Contract Expires: Summer 2021

Freiburg’s all-time leading goal scorer is nearing the end of a great career. Aside from a brief spell with the Bavarian Death Star in 2011/12, he has never played for a title contender. If he is looking for another shot at the Meisterschale and willing to accept a part-time super-sub role, he could be the perfect summer signing. Ideally, he would allow Haaland to rest against lower-level competition or come on during the final minutes of a match if the team needs a late joker goal. It would be hard to lure him away from Freiburg, but as with Milik, BVB wouldn’t need to pay a transfer fee so they could afford to sweeten the pot with a higher weekly wage.

Wingers

David Brooks

Club: AFC Bournemouth

Age: 23

Nationality: Welsh

Value: €18m

Contract Expires: Summer 2022

David Brooks is a talented right-winger who is currently playing in the English Championship with AFC Bournemouth. He gained significant Premier League experience with Bournemouth, and if he hadn’t been injured for much of last season, there is a good chance that Bournemouth would have been able to escape relegation. He has contributed to 21% of his team’s goals this year with three goals and five assists. Bournemouth is currently in one of four playoff promotion spots; if they fail to earn promotion back to the Premier League they may be forced to sell him. He would be a solid replacement for Sancho and wouldn’t set the club back too far.

Leandro Trossard

Club: Brighton and Hove Albion

Age: 26

Nationality: Belgian

Value: €15m

Contract Expires: Summer 2023

Brighton has avoided relegation the last two seasons, but this year their luck may have run out. They currently sit 17th in the Premier League standings, one spot above the relegation zone. Being a smaller club, they would have to unload a majority of their top talent upon relegation. In the last few years, BVB has been the home to several members of the Belgian national team, which would give them the inside track on signing Trossard. His playing style is similar to Hazard, and he could be another good option to replace Sancho if/when he is sold this summer. While his finishing does leave a lot to be desired, he is a tenacious player who always puts in an energetic performance.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Defenders

Sebastiaan Bornauw

Club: FC Köln

Age: 21

Nationality: Belgian

Value: €13m

Contract Expires: Summer 2024

The Billy Goats are having a tough second season back in the Bundesliga. They currently sit in the relegation playoff spot with 11 points. Like Trossard and Brooks, Bornauw would likely be sold if the team goes down. BVB will need a young defender to groom for the time when Hummels play begins to decline. He uses his 6’3” frame well and is an imposing threat on set pieces, having scored six goals last year. He would be a great partner for Akanji or Zagadou to anchor the black and yellows for years to come. Yes, Hummels has been great, but he can’t play forever, and it would behoove Dortmund to plan for the future now.

Marco Friedl

Club: Werder Bremen

Age: 22

Nationality: German

Value: €5.5m

Contract Expires: Summer 2022

Dortmund would benefit if they had a reliable secondary option at left-back. Relying on Rafael Guerreiro to play every minute is wearing him down and decreasing his effectiveness. Having a reliable second option would allow the team to move him into midfield against opponents when his skill set is needed. Friedl would be a great low-cost option to bring in to provide that flexibility. Last year he played left-back, left-midfield, and central defender. His versatility would be a welcome addition at BVB. At 22, he still has room to improve and could become more than a depth option down the road. Unlike most clubs, Bremen was in financial trouble before the pandemic and will likely be forced to accept any decent offer to help balance their books. Bremen’s financial issues also means that Friedl’s acquisition wouldn’t depend on Bremen being relegated.

Your Thoughts

Which players would you like to see BVB pursue over the summer? Leave your thoughts below.