Borussia Dortmund are supposedly headed towards a summer of big changes. Just days after Julian Brandt was confirmed to leave the club, two more players will reportedly be joining him through the exit door at Signal Iduna Park this summer.
BVB managing director for sport Lars Ricken revealed on Friday that Niklas Sule and Salih Ozcan will depart the club too as both the players will see out their contracts. Speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten, he said:
""We had very open and appreciative conversations with both of them this week. In the end, we mutually agreed with both Niklas and Salih to go separate ways at the end of the season.""he revealed.
Joining from Bayern Munich in 2022, Sule hasn't been able to achieve the dizzy heights in Dortmund colors. Injuries have played a big part in hampering his progress since the move while under Niko Kovac this season, he hasn't been able to lock down a consistent starting berth.
Meanwhile Ozcan was roped in from FC Koln in the same year and the Turkish international too has struggled to break into Dortmund's XI given the competition for places in his position. For context, he's made only seven Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund this season, most of which have been off the bench too.
But Ricken further added that the players remained focused on helping the squad finish inside top-four and secure their Champions League ambition.
"“But until then, nine games still await us, which we want to play as successfully as possible together and, once again this year, qualify for the Champions League.”"Ricken added.
For the sixth year in a row, Dortmund are set to finish the campaign without a trophy. With Bayern Munich boasting a 11-point advantage over them with less than 10 games remaining into the top-flight season, the BVB aren't likely to catch them.
In the other competition, Niko Kovac's side lost to Bayern Leverkusen in round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal Cup while their Champions League run was ended by Atalanta in the knockout playoffs after springing a stunning second-leg comeback.
Another frustrating season calls for massive summer overhaul, with key player Brandt also confirmed to leave. The German international has been a vital cog in their midfield as his departure is set to leave a massive void for the Black and Yellows to fill.
Dortmund return to action on Saturday with a home game against Augsburg in the Bundesliga.