Opinion: Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Red Star Belgrade’s Andrija Maksimović doesn’t solve squad issues

Borussia Dortmund seem keen on identifying their next transfer targets early, with the club turning their attention to Serbia in hopes of acquiring the club's next potential star young talent. According to reports, the German giants are said to be eyeing up a move Red Star Belgrade’s Andrija Maksimović.

Maksimović, 17, has excelled for the Serbian capital side this season, with the young attacking midfielder scoring three goals and providing a further two assists across five games in the Prva Liga Srbije. These performances have reportedly attracted not only Dortmund, but other top European sides including Juventus, Manchester City and Liverpool. 

According to the information provided, the expected cost for Maksimović’s services is expected to be 15 million euros. The player currently has a contract until 2027 with Red Star, which means the club isn’t extremely pressed to let their talented youngster go. 

As for fitting in at Dortmund, the answer to whether he would fit in comes down to what personnel are there when the player joins. As of right now, Julian Brandt and Gio Reyna are the predominant options in attacking midfield. There is also Justin Lerma, who will not be joining for some time yet, as he is still on loan with his current club until 2026. Pasca Grob and Marcel Sabitzer are also capable of playing in attacking midfield, but their services are better suited elsewhere in this Dortmund side. 

To bring Maksimović in, and to offer him game-time, the club will likely have to move a player on to make room. At this current juncture in time, the most likely candidate (barring a supreme renaissance in terms of form after he returns to injury) would be Reyna. Reyna’s injury-blighted time at Dortmund may see the club move to replace him in the coming months, but much of that will be determined by Reyna’s performances once he is fit again. 

While 15 million euros may seem a good price on the current market for an up-and-coming talent, Dortmund once again is focusing on an attacking player when defensive reinforcements could be a shrewder investment. Time will tell if Dortmund does indeed make a move for Maksimović, but it is only a move that makes sense if space in the team appears for the player to slot in, and at this time this seems unlikely to materialize.