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Miscommunications or lack of proactiveness: What’s hurting Borussia Dortmund’s transfer business?

By Eli Brand

AUGSBURG, GERMANY - MAY 21: Sebastian Kehl, Sporting Director of Borussia Dortmund, celebrates with Edin Terzic, Head Coach of Borussia Dortmund, after the team's victory in the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at WWK-Arena on May 21, 2023 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - MAY 21: Sebastian Kehl, Sporting Director of Borussia Dortmund, celebrates with Edin Terzic, Head Coach of Borussia Dortmund, after the team's victory in the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at WWK-Arena on May 21, 2023 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /

How has a lack of early signings affected this summer?

Borussia Dortmund have certainly paid over the odds to get Felix Nmecha, who reportedly only had 12 months left on his contract. However, despite the player’s on-field flaws, in a few years he could look like a bargain as he could end up successfully replacing Jude Bellingham despite his prior willingness to make statements violating the club’s Code of Values.

In the last few years, the transfer window has evolved to a degree, affecting how business can be done. This is seen as English Premier League clubs (and now also Saudi clubs) pay over the odds compared to any other club. What this has effectively done this summer is players like Maxence Caqueret or Khephrem Thuram, Youssouf Fofana – who aren’t playing Champions League football – having to wait for Premier League clubs to do their business before their clubs become open to receiving the lower bids from other European clubs.

For all we know, in this instance Borussia Dortmund (who are lagging behind the likes of West Ham United and Aston Villa in terms of spending power) could be waiting to target one of these highly rated players once the Premier League tax is removed late in the window.

It is also worth mentioning that Borussia Dortmund have replaced Raphael Guerreiro with the signing of Ramy Bensabaini on a free transfer. The former Gladbach left-back is an excellent all-rounder who should be able to replace Guerreiro, adding solidity and an aerial presence for a side that has struggled with set-pieces for some time now.