BVB Buzz
Fansided

Who can Borussia Dortmund sign to strengthen their squad in January?

By Brian Szlenk Straub

Genoa's Polish forward Krzysztof Piatek gestures during the Italian Serie A football match Genoa vs Napoli at the Luigi-Ferraris stadium on November 10, 2018 in Genoa. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images)
Genoa's Polish forward Krzysztof Piatek gestures during the Italian Serie A football match Genoa vs Napoli at the Luigi-Ferraris stadium on November 10, 2018 in Genoa. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
Nice’s French defender Malang Sarr (L) vies with Amiens’ French midfielder Emmanuel Bourgaud (R) during the French L1 football match Nice vs Amiens on January 13, 2018 at the “Allianz Riviera” stadium in Nice, southeastern France. / AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Nice’s French defender Malang Sarr (L) vies with Amiens’ French midfielder Emmanuel Bourgaud (R) during the French L1 football match Nice vs Amiens on January 13, 2018 at the “Allianz Riviera” stadium in Nice, southeastern France. / AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /

Malang Sarr

The first choice for me, if I were Lucien Favre, would be young French and Nice defender Malang Sarr. Favre and Sarr know each other well from their time together at OGC Nice, and this familiarity would help the young Frenchman settle at the club and with the style of football quickly.

Scouting reports often describe Sarr as being a very dominant and physical defender, very composed for his age, and very versatile. It is this versatility and ability to play passes that, like both Akanji and Diallo, makes him a perfect fit for a team like Borussia Dortmund. His age also gives Favre flexibility, as there wouldn’t be such a push to start him over any of our current players unless form or necessity dictates this to be the case. As mentioned by Football Talent Scout, Sarr, like Diallo, is left footed, and can play well alongside a right footed defender, like Akanji. In the case of injuries, he can also fill the role of left back.

According to Transfermarkt, Sarr is valued around £13.5 million, making him an affordable option that could allow Borussia Dortmund to fill more than one of the areas the team needs more depth in. Borussia Dortmund’s main concern would have to be previous links to Barcelona, but if Dortmund are able to tempt the young Frenchman to the Westfalenstadion, we would find ourselves in the midst of yet another young defensive talent.

Home/Dortmund All-Time Lists