He moved into his new job in the BVB office at the training ground in Dortmund-Brackel a few days ago. From the first floor, Lars Ricken (47) went up two floors. Club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke (64), who will now only reside on Westfalendamm in the city, has even given his spacious office to the new sports director. On the third floor, Ricken is now planning the future of the club with sports director Sebastian Kehl (44), who has his office on the same floor. In order for it to be successful, some changes need to be made…
Since it was clear that 5th place would be enough to qualify for the Champions League, planning has picked up speed. As a result, BVB earns up to 50 million euros more compared to the Europa League. The first future decisions were made – with a surprising detail.
Despite the very successful participation in the Champions League this season and the renewed qualification for the premier class, the player budget for the professional team will be reduced. The fact that the club will take part in the newly created Club World Cup in around a year, which will bring in an additional 40 to 50 million, does not change this. In addition, there are the millions that BVB will receive from reaching the Champions League final.
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The reason for the cost reduction: The Dortmund squad, which currently costs around 165 million euros per year, is actually too expensive based on sales. In recent years, this gap has been compensated for with very expensive player sales, last year for example in the person of Jude Bellingham (20), who moved to Real Madrid for up to 133 million euros. However, because there is no player in the current squad who promises a transfer fee in such high regions this summer or a year later, BVB has to save money.
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The aim is for total salaries to be reduced by around five million euros. The departure of club icon Marco Reus (34) alone will save the club around six million euros in salary, and further departures, such as that of Marius Wolf (28), will free up additional budget.
Moukoko is allowed to go
It was also clearly discussed: Youssoufa Moukoko (19) should leave the club by 2026 despite his contract! The striker’s market value is currently 25 million euros, and with an offer of this magnitude Ricken and Kehl would be ready to talk immediately. Especially since Moukoko, with a salary of up to six million euros per year, is no longer one of the low earners in the squad.
Youssoufa Moukoko is considered a sales candidate
Source: AP/Martin Meissner
The club would also not put any obstacles in the way of Niklas Süle (28) and Sébastien Haller (29). At Borussia, however, there is realism: the bosses do not assume that the defender and the striker will receive offers that come anywhere close to their current salaries. Both earn around ten million euros per year. After his cancer, Haller has repeatedly struggled with problems with his ankle, while Süle’s discussions about his physical condition are increasing rather than decreasing.
The Champions League with the fantastic entry into the final on June 2nd also ensures that fresh money is available. The bosses also expected the round of 16 in the premier class this year, and these plans were far exceeded. In plain language: The squad planners, who now officially include Sven Mislintat (51) as technical director, can become active on the transfer market. According to an initial calculation by the bosses, the budget for player transfers is between 40 and 50 million euros. This money is intended to strengthen the squad and at the same time rejuvenate it.
Maatsen wants to stay
Left-back Ian Maatsen (22) is part of this idea. The Chelsea loanee should be signed permanently. Maatsen could easily be bought out of his contract using an exit clause, but the set sum of around 40 million euros is far too high for BVB officials. The plan is for Ricken and Kehl to try to drive down the price for the Dutchman in the coming weeks.
Ian Maatsen made a huge impact in Dortmund
Source: AFP/FRANCK FIFE
The player himself has already expressed his desire to stay in Dortmund. One reason why Maatsen feels so comfortable: In the 2022/23 season he played as a loan player in England’s second division, for Burnley FC. Even then, Borussia knocked on his door and expressed interest. The contact never really ended, Maatsen felt flattered – and didn’t hesitate for a second when the Revier club got in touch again in the winter.
The situation is more complicated with Jadon Sancho (24). BVB absolutely wants to keep the loan from Manchester United and will suggest another loan if necessary. However, another deal with the traditional English club will require a lot of patience. The signals that BVB are receiving from the island are that United would like to wait and see how the transfer market develops before making a decision about Sancho. The hope of the Manchester bosses: that a more financially powerful club than Borussia will make an inquiry – and Sancho will be firmly committed. United will not accept a transfer fee that is within Dortmund’s options.
Whether Sancho is available also depends on United’s coaching decision. The tablecloth with incumbent Erik ten Hag (54) has been cut. If Thomas Tuchel (50) becomes the new head coach, BVB’s chances will deteriorate rapidly. It is not only known on the 3rd floor in Brackel that the ex-coach, who left in a dispute in 2017, would not necessarily do Dortmund any good.
The history was researched for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first published in SPORT BILD.
