BVB management is facing an important personnel decision. Which professionals should extend their contracts, who should leave? With Karim Adeyemi on board, the bosses have a clear idea about the exit clause. And the top earner will have to leave Borussia.
The fact that BVB are currently in the second tier of top European football was recently demonstrated impressively to the players in Manchester. Borussia had almost no chance against City (1:4) – and the billion-dollar English club (market value of the squad 1.21 billion euros) also showed their strength off the field. BVB buses must park at the edge of the stadium yard. The main square in front of the players’ exit was used by chauffeurs to drive the luxury cars of the city’s professionals. A night to forget, which from a sporting point of view felt like a repeat in the league last time out in Hamburg (1:1).
The question arises to what extent this is due to the quality of the squad. And how will those responsible plan the course with the current staff. Eleven professional contracts will expire next summer or later. There are many decisions to be made. And there is already a clear trend.
One figure who is currently hotly discussed internally is Karim Adeyemi. The star striker’s contract is dated until 2027, and he is simply looking to extend it long-term with an exit clause. Dortmund’s top brass aren’t too enthusiastic about this idea, as they essentially want to prevent such a breakout option. However, they did not want to rule out this in Adeyemi’s case.
BVB definitely wants to extend its contract with Adeyemi
But one thing is clear: the amount would have to be very high for the BVB to approve it. We heard from the club that the amount should be at least 80 million euros. So the price makes the Bundesliga club really think about selling him even without a clause. Those responsible want to use all means to prevent the third-placed team from entering the final year of the 23-year-old international’s contract without finding a solution first.
Negotiations with Julian Brandt are unlikely to be too complicated. Management intends to extend the midfielder’s contract which will expire next summer. However, the Bremen native should not speculate on a so-called “retirement contract”. Borussia plans to extend his contract for one year. Depending on how much Brandt meets the club’s salary expectations, the parties in charge would be willing to tie Brandt down until 2028 – that is, for two additional years.
Defender Niklas Süle, on the other hand, will leave BVB. The boss currently has no plans to extend his current contract until 2026. His team-mates also feel their time at Borussia will end in the summer – just as the defender will have to discuss his future in the dressing room. With an annual salary of 14 million euros, Süle is Dortmund’s highest earner.
Emre Can is highly respected at the club
With Emre Can being captain since the summer of 2023, there are many indications of a collaboration beyond next summer. In his contract, which was initially extended until 2026 about two years ago, the defender has a contract option for another year, namely until 2027. This clause is related to playing time in the current season. However, due to a long-term adductor injury that forced him out of action for nine matchdays, a corresponding number of appearances may be difficult to achieve. Nevertheless: The plan is to expand the contract – even if the clause is not activated.
Can enjoys a high position both in the team and in the executive suite. Moreover, the bosses do not want to make changes next summer too radical. The former Liverpool player himself can imagine further collaborations.
Salih Özcan, who also has a contract until the end of the season, has decided to finish the BVB round until the end in order to be a free agent in the summer. This is a personality associated with a touch of melancholy at BVB. Cause: In the summer of 2024 there is an idea to recruit Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyon and in return transfer Özcan to a French club. Both clubs will offset the transfer fee; in this case, Cherki only needs to pay more than ten million euros.
However, at that time there were concerns about Cherki’s character, including from former coach Nuri Sahin. A year later, the offensive player moved to Manchester City for around 36 million euros, where he has impressed quite a bit and recently scored his first Champions League goal for coach Pep Guardiola’s side – against BVB.
Sancho’s return is unlikely
There could be a departure at the start of winter: Cole Campbell is said to be completely dissatisfied with his playing time with the professionals, which has been just 16 minutes so far this season – and is therefore looking for a new challenge. BVB won’t stand in his way if he goes out on loan; The US U21 international is said to be able to envision his departure permanently. The boss is waiting for a request.
However, BVB will not carry out an investigation regarding Jadon Sancho. Recent rumors from England that those responsible are eyeing the player’s return for a third time are not true. On the one hand, because they have big concerns about being able to cover the salary of the offensive star. On the other hand, because they view sports development as very critical. Sancho was loaned from Manchester United to Aston Villa this season. Until now he has only played 88 minutes in the Premier League.
This article was written for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and was first published in SPORT BILD.
