Hans-Joachim Watzke comments on Borussia Dortmund's title chances and January transfer window plans

Hans-Joachim Watzke has admitted that as long as Bayern Munich can spend 200 million euros more on player salaries every year, Borussia Dortmund will only have an outside chance of winning the Bundesliga title.

Borussia Dortmund narrowly missed out on the Bundesliga title last season, with Bayern Munich's superior goal difference helping them lift the Meisterschale after a dramatic final day. Hans-Joachim Watzke has now admitted that the Black and Yellows can only become champions in a season during which Bayern aren't playing at their best.

In an interview with Ruhr Nachrichten, Watzke said: "We were so close [last season], we couldn't have been any closer. Now we have to readjust a bit. We can only become German champions in a year when Bayern Munich are not playing at their best. At some point that will happen again. As long as there is another club that can spend 200 million euros more on player salaries every year, we will only have an outside chance of winning the title."

The start of the winter transfer window is less than a month away, and Watzke has also commented on Borussia Dortmund's potential plans. While the BVB CEO is not ruling out bolstering the squad in January, he does not see it as a necessity either.

"I don't want to rule it out. But it's not an absolute necessity either. The question is whether there are sensible options in a winter transfer period that are economically viable. It's Sebastian Kehl's job to assess the necessity of transfers. He will certainly come up with one or two suggestions if he is convinced by someone. If that's the case, we'll talk about it."

It has been reported in recent months that Borussia Dortmund could look to bring in reinforcements in the two full-back positions in January. But Watzke does not feel that there are any personnel shortages in the team at full-back.

"We have at least four full-backs. We haven't yet had the problem of having to play an attacking player in that role. In addition to Julian Ryerson, Ramy Bensebaini and Marius Wolf, we also have Niklas Süle, who can play there. And Thomas Meunier has recovered from his injury. I don't see any vacancies in the squad."

Julian Ryerson and Ramy Bensebaini have been primarly used as Borussia Dortmund's first-choice full-backs by Edin Terzic this season, while Marius Wolf and Niklas Süle have also featured at right-back.