Report: Armel Bella-Kotchap is Borussia Dortmund’s top target for defence

Highly rated defender Armel Bella-Kotchap is said to be Borussia Dortmund’s top target as they look to bring in a new centre-back before the end of the month.

Borussia Dortmund would like to sign a new centre-back this month, and Armel Bella-Kotchap appears to be their preferred candidate. This is being reported by Sport1, who add that talks over personal terms with the 21 year old are already at a very advanced stage.

Bella-Kotchap reportedly wants to return to Germany and Southampton are also willing to sell him following their relegation from the English Premier League. The Black and Yellows would have to pay a transfer fee in the region of 20 million euros for his signature.

It remains to be seen if Borussia Dortmund would be willing to spend that much money on a new  centre-back, especially since they also want to sign a new back-up striker this summer. Any potential transfer will also likely depend on possible player sales.

Borussia Dortmund currently have three centre-back in their first-team ranks, in Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels. So it is no surprise that Sebastian Kehl and co. want to bring in a new central defender to add more depth to the position.

Armel Bella-Kotchap came through the youth team ranks at VfL Bochum, before joining Southampton last summer. He made 26 appearances for the English club last season, and also earned a call-up to the Germany squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Now a return to the Ruhr region could be in the cards for him.