Borussia Dortmund are expected to undergo a summer of massive changes ahead. That's because despite a promising run in the Bundesliga, Niko Kovac's side fell short of dethroning Bayern Munich as German champions.
The BVB also made early exits from the DFB Pokal and the Champions League as their trophy drought extended to five years now.
With Julian Brandt, Niklas Sule and Salih Ozcan leaving the club already, Dortmund's wheel of summer overhaul has long been put in motion.
Sabitzer and Bensebaini to leave in 2027?
While it's not known which other players could leave this summer, reports suggest Marcel Sabitzer and Ramy Bensebaini might exit through the Signal Iduna Park in 2027.
Both players will enter the final year of their contracts next season and according to Ruhr Nachrichten, Dortmund don't plan on extending it for either.
So, technically, Sabitzer and Bensebaini could leave for free. Reports suggest neither are planning on leaving this summer and will remain important components in Kovac's setup.
Sabitzer and Bensebaini vital to BVB
Borussia Dortmund signed both players in 2023: Ramy Bensebaini joined from Borussia Monchengladbach on a free transfer while Marcel Sabitzer was priced away from Bayern Munich for €20 million.
Since then, both players have become vital to Dortmund's fortunes. While Bensebaini has written his name among the best defenders with top-notch displays, Sabitzer has excelled as their creative talisman in the midfield.
Both have racked up over 100 appearances for Dortmund in these three years and even contributed a few goals: while Sabitzer has scored eight and assisted 13, Bensebaini has netted 10 while assisting another 11.
Who could replace Sabitzer and Bensebaini?
If the duo are indeed set to depart Borussia Dortmund next summer, the club will be looking out for replacements soon. But who could replace Marcel Sabitzer and Ramy Bensebaini?
AC Milan star Theo Hernandez has a similar profile to Bensebaini - electric pace and a similar penchant to drive forward and join up attacks.
Within the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo remains an attractive prospect and he comes with the added bonus of dead-ball specialty.
As for Sabitzer, the Austrian could have the up-and-coming German talent Kennet Eichhorn, who's already been linked with Borussia Dortmund this year.
Lazar Samardzic could be another alternative, for he too is creative like Sabitzer and can make excellent deliveries from set-pieces.
Both Marcel Sabitzer and Ramy Bensebaini are currently away with Austria and Algeria's respective national teams for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and will come up against each other when their teams clash on 27 June in Group J.
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