Bayern Munich’s Raphaël Guerreiro wanted to continue with Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich’s Raphaël Guerreiro noted that his desire was to stay with Borussia Dortmund before he signed with the Bavarian club.
During a Bayern Munich press conference that presented both Raphaël Guerreiro and former RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer as new players, Guerreiro was quoted in saying that he had wanted to continue his career at Borussia Dortmund prior to his move to Bavaria. According to numerous reports, Rapha had been offered a two year contract by Sebastian Kehl and the club, but the player and his entourage apparently rejected it because he wanted a three year deal.
Rapha’s statements seem to suggest that perhaps there is more to this story than meets the eye, however:
"“I’m honest, I wanted to continue at Dortmund, but my path took a different direction…After the season, I then had to ask myself the right questions and find a good club with the quality that suits me…when Bayern knocked on my door, I did everything I could to come here.”"
Guerreiro’s comments seem to make the suggestion that he did not have the final say on his Dortmund future (or lack thereof). The player’s replacement at left back has long been known, with Ramy Bensebaini’s transfer to Dortmund as a free agent announced weeks ago. Prior to his resurgence over the course of the second half of the season, it was largely expected that the player would be let go on a free without much of a struggle.
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Head coach Edin Terzić gave Rapha the opportunity to play in midfield in the tail end of the season, where he excelled, and it is likely that Thomas Tuchel will deploy the Portuguese international in midfield as well. The former Dortmund, Chelsea and PSG manager is well acquainted with Guerreiro from his two years with the Ruhr club, and will know howe to utilize his skillset to it’s full potential.