Bundesliga
Scope after Bellingham sale: BVB pushes squad restructuring
Flushes BVB with a lot of money: Jude Bellingham. photo
© David Indian song / dpa
Bye bye Bellingham. With the high proceeds from the sale of the highly talented Englishman to Real Madrid, BVB’s previous reluctance on the transfer market should come to an end.
The guesswork about Jude Bellingham’s future is over, Borussia Dortmund’s room for maneuver has increased significantly.
After the lucrative sale of the 19-year-old football jewel to Real Madrid, the second in the Bundesliga is pushing the squad planning for the coming season. The second-highest transfer proceeds in league history, which gives BVB a fixed sum of 103 million euros and ideally even 135 million euros, makes it easier to find reinforcements. According to club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke, “about 60 to 65 percent” of the sales made this summer should “be reinvested”.
A squad restructuring also seems necessary after a season of missed opportunities. Professionals with solid character, who are strong in fighting and playing, should help Borussia to overcome the trauma after the championship was lost on the last day of the game. With Raphael Guerreiro, Mahmoud Dahoud, Luca Unbehaun, Felix Passlack, Anthony Modeste and Bellingham, six players will leave the Revierclub. The only new signing so far is left-back Ramy Bensebaini, who has signed a free transfer from Mönchengladbach. “He stands for a good balance between defensive and offensive play,” commented sporting director Sebastian Kehl on the signing of the 28-year-old Algerian international.
But what further reinforcements are planned? And which rumors persist?
Edson Alvarez: The 25-year-old Mexican national player seems to have been chosen as the player of choice for the defensive center. Already last summer, he flirted with leaving Ajax Amsterdam, but did not get a release from the Dutch record champions. BVB should already be in agreement with the strong professional. However, tricky negotiations about the transfer threaten. After all, the former BVB scout and new Ajax sports director Sven Mislintat is considered a tough conversation partner and should generate high transfer income for the necessary conversion after a disappointing season for the third-placed player. A commitment should cost BVB at least 35 million euros.
Enzo Le Fée: The 23-year-old midfielder from FC Lorient could help alongside Alvarez to close the Bellingham gap at BVB. Unlike the Mexican, Le Fée has his strengths more in the offensive. According to recent media reports, however, he wants to stay in the French league and is said to have already reached an agreement with fourth-placed Rennes. Its market value is estimated at 25 million euros.
Ivan Fresneda: The 18-year-old right-back from Real Valladolid has been traded as a possible BVB signing for months. A sale of the coveted talent should bring money into the coffers of the Spanish club, which was relegated from the Primera División after just one season. Fresneda is said to have already said goodbye to his teammates. In addition to BVB, English runners-up FC Arsenal are said to be interested in a commitment. That could push up the price for the Spain U19 international. 20 million euros are under discussion.
Ilkay Gündogan: Speculations about a possible return of the German international to BVB, for whom he played over a hundred games between 2011 and 2016, made the biggest headlines. Because the English champions and Champions League finalists Manchester City only want to extend the expiring contract with the 32-year-old by one year, the midfield strategist interested in a two-year contract is considering a change of club. However, Dortmund should not be a goal for Gündogan. Arsenal and Barcelona are the favourites.