What can we expect from Borussia Dortmund in the final weeks of the transfer window?
What can we expect from Borussia Dortmund in the final weeks of the transfer window?
After a rollercoaster season that saw them go from mid-table mediocrity to sneaking into the top four, Borussia Dortmund looked set to take a swing in the transfer market and reshape their squad. Under the watchful eye of Niko Kovac, who took charge midway through the campaign, BVB were able to finish the season as the most in-form team in the Bundesliga and qualify for the UEFA Champions League by the thinnest of margins. It seemed only natural for BVB to back their new manager with a healthy transfer investment.
Instead, however, it has been an incredibly slow window for Dortmund, who have not yet found a replacement for Jamie Gittens following his €56m move to Chelsea earlier in the summer. Whilst they’ve made the signings of full-backs Yan Couto and Daniel Svensson permanent for €20m and €6.5m, respectively, they’ve also added backup goalkeeper Patrick Drewes from Bochum for €200,000.
Dortmund’s sole major investment has come in the form of Jobe Bellingham. After guiding Sunderland back to the Premier League and ending a nine-year absence, the Englishman decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Jude by making the move from England’s second tier to the Signal Iduna Park. BVB paid €30.5m for the English midfielder, who was heavily involved in the club’s run to the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals and emerged as a key figure in Kovac’s midfield.
It’s clear that more work is needed in order for Dortmund to challenge Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen for the Bundesliga title, and yet, the German behemoths look to be stuck in quicksand financially. The reason? It’s not a mountain of debt from a botched stadium deal or an underwhelming big-name signing, but instead a culinary expense.
According to Sport Bild, Dortmund’s transfer ambitions have been hampered by having to pay €11m for the complete renovation of the stadium’s kitchens after the labour inspectors deemed them obsolete. BVB has used up a good chunk of their summer budget, having already spent a great deal on kitchen upgrades and transfers, and it’s likely they’ll need to sell a key first-team player before they can think of adding a new recruit in the final weeks of the transfer window, having already splurged €57m on new arrivals.
