BVB after tumor diagnosis at Sébastien Haller: These storm stars are traded as possible replacement candidates

Sports director Sebastian Kehl wished the Ivorian on behalf of the entire BVB family that he “gets completely healthy as soon as possible and that we can hug him again soon”.

At the moment, however, it is not clear how long Haller will be absent. Numerous names that are now being talked about as possible transfers have appeared in the media since then, including some big names.

Eurosport.de takes a look at some of the candidates who have been linked to BVB and explains their current situation.

Edin Dzeko (Inter Milan)

The latest rumor from Thursday concerns the former Wolfsburg striker. Dzeko has been playing at Inter Milan for almost a year. His contract with the Italians runs until 2023. A free transfer would therefore not be possible.

But according to information from the online portal “Calciomercato.it”, BVB is dealing with the now 36-year-old, who played in the Bundesliga from 2007 to 2011.

Before moving to Milan, Dzeko had played for AS Roma for five years. In his first year at Inter, the attacker scored 17 goals (plus 10 assists) in 48 games. According to the report from Italy, Dortmund would only be interested in a free transfer deal. In addition, Dzeko would certainly earn less than in Milan.

Sasa Kalajdzic (VfB Stuttgart)

For a long time, the young Austrian was considered one of the top favorites to succeed Erling Haaland, who moved to Manchester City. FC Bayern was also apparently interested, but those responsible are said not to have been completely convinced of his qualities. Instead, Munich signed Sadio Mané for the offensive.

In Dortmund, too, the decision was finally made against Kalajdzic and for Haller. A fee of between 20 and 25 million euros was discussed for the VfB striker.

Most recently, Stuttgart’s sports director Sven Mislintat said on “Sport1” about the current situation: “There is currently nothing concrete at Sasa, there was a lot of noise about Bayern and Dortmund. He was definitely on the list before the transfers from Sadio Mané and Sébastien Haller were fixed . Everything else we will see by September 1st.”

According to “Sport Bild”, Kalajdzic could possibly become an issue again at Bayern if the transfer of talent Mathys Tel does not work. But maybe there is also a second chance for the Austrian at BVB?

Dries Mertens (without a club, last SSC Napoli)

The 35-year-old was under contract in Naples until the end of June, and the Belgian had played there since 2013. Now Mertens is on the market and could possibly help Dortmund. Because BVB and the striker were already a topic a few years ago. In 2019, the Bundesliga side were interested in signing Mertens, but the 105-time Belgian international turned it down at the time. Instead, he extended at SSC Napoli.

In his last season for the Italians, Mertens scored 13 times (two assists) in 37 games. Will Dortmund knock again after the basket three years ago? However, it seems certain that AS Roma and FC Valencia, among others, are interested.

Luis Suárez (without a club, most recently Atlético Madrid)

According to “Sky”, the long-time FC Barcelona striker is said to have been one of the options discussed after Haller’s diagnosis. Allegedly, the Uruguayan, now 35 years old and under contract with Atlético Madrid until the end of June, has already been offered to BVB.

However, nothing will come of an engagement: As the Uruguayan media unanimously reported on Friday, the attacker will return to his home country this summer to Club Nacional from the capital Montevideo.

However, newcomer Karim Adeyemi is certain that Dortmund would be able to cope without further transfers for the time being. “We don’t have to replace anyone. We’re trying to keep playing football, maybe with a different formation or someone else up front. We have the quality for it,” said the international on Thursday at the training camp in Bad Ragaz. In addition to Adeyemi, youngster Youssoufa Moukoko or Donyell Malen, who was injured several times last season, could also help out.

It remains to be seen whether BVB will hit the transfer market again in the coming weeks and will also depend on Haller’s downtime.