Dortmund’s very clear announcement to the poker-playing Moukoko
Youssoufa Moukoko has been playing for BVB since 2016. His contract expires in June
Source: dpa/David Indian song
Borussia Dortmund would like to extend Youssoufa Moukoko’s contract. But so far he has not wanted to bring himself to do so. Club boss Watze now speaks clear words in the cause. You will not pay the 18-year-old any price.
SYou know what they have in him. But Borussia Dortmund does not want to keep national player Youssoufa Moukoko at any price, it seems. He thinks it is legitimate that the 18-year-old is trying to get a good position for himself in the ongoing contract negotiations, said managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke in an interview with the TV channel Sky.
“But it’s just as legitimate that we have our own ideas, and if they don’t match, then the cooperation will not be continued. This is the ultimate consequence, which can also happen. But of course we hope that he stays with us,” said the 63-year-old.
Moukoko’s contract, who was surprisingly called up to the World Cup squad by national coach Hansi Flick in November last year, expires this summer. According to media reports, English clubs are said to be interested in the centre-forward, including Premier League third-placed Newcastle United. The money there has been extremely loose since it was taken over by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.
With the club since 2016
“I think the whole process is quite normal. The difference is simply that he is only 18 years old and he was already at the World Cup. Of course, this makes the whole thing even more public,” said Watzke.
Shortly before Christmas, BILD reported that Moukoko had turned down an improved offer of six million euros. This had prompted the striker to make a sweep on Instagram. “I will never accept such a lie about me. Even though I’m still young, I don’t let myself be pressured into making decisions about my future,” he wrote at the time.
Moukoko has been playing for Borussia Dortmund since 2016 and turned professional in 2020. At 16 years and one day, he is the youngest Bundesliga player to date and at 16 years and 23 days also the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history. However, Watzke does not expect gratitude for the years of support. “Gratitude is not a currency in professional football. But I won’t blame anyone for that either, because the business is just the way it is,” said the managing director.
