Borussia Mönchengladbach Transfer Rumors: Who’s Coming, Who’s Going, and What It Means for the 2026 Season

BORUSSIA-PARK, GERMANY — With just three matches remaining in the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, Borussia Mönchengladbach finds itself in a precarious position—not just on the pitch, but in the transfer market. After a turbulent campaign that saw a mid-season coaching change, managerial upheaval, and a struggle to find consistency, the Foals are now facing critical decisions about their roster ahead of what could be a make-or-break summer. Here’s what we know—and what remains speculation—about the club’s transfer plans.

The Current State of Play

As of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Borussia Mönchengladbach sit 11th in the Bundesliga table with 32 points, just four points clear of the relegation playoff spot. Their remaining fixtures—home against Borussia Dortmund, away to FC Augsburg, and home to 1899 Hoffenheim—will determine whether they secure survival with room to spare or enter the summer under the cloud of a potential drop to the 2. Bundesliga.

But the club’s challenges extend beyond the pitch. On September 15, 2025, head coach Gerardo Seoane was sacked after a winless streak spanning 10 Bundesliga matches across two seasons. His replacement, Eugen Polanski, was initially appointed on an interim basis before being handed a permanent contract until June 2028 on November 18, 2025. Polanski’s arrival stabilized the team to some extent—his first win came in his sixth match, a 4-0 demolition of FC St. Pauli—but the squad’s lack of depth and firepower has been evident all season.

Sporting director Roland Virkus, who resigned on September 30, 2025, was replaced by Rouven Schröder, the former Red Bull Salzburg executive, on October 14. Schröder’s appointment signaled a shift in transfer strategy, with a focus on identifying young talent and experienced leaders to rebuild the squad. However, with the club’s financial constraints and the uncertainty of their league status, any summer overhaul will require careful planning—and perhaps a bit of luck.

Confirmed Departures: Who’s Already Gone?

Whereas no high-profile exits have been officially announced for the summer of 2026, several players are out of contract at the end of the season, and their futures remain uncertain. According to club records and verified reports:

• Tobias Sippel (Goalkeeper): The 36-year-old veteran’s contract expires this summer, and there has been no indication of an extension. Sippel, who joined Gladbach in 2015, has been a reliable presence between the posts but has seen his playing time reduced in recent seasons. If he departs, it would mark the end of an era for the club.
• Stefan Lainer (Defender): The Austrian right-back, a key figure in Gladbach’s defense for the past seven years, is also out of contract. Lainer, 32, has struggled with injuries this season and has not featured since January. While he has expressed a desire to continue playing, no extension talks have been confirmed.
• Florian Neuhaus (Midfielder): The 29-year-old midfielder, a product of Gladbach’s youth academy, has been linked with moves to several Bundesliga clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart. Neuhaus’s contract runs until 2027, but his future could hinge on the club’s league status. If Gladbach are relegated, he may seek a move to remain in the top flight.

several loanees are set to return to their parent clubs, including:

• Robin Hack (Forward, on loan from Arminia Bielefeld until June 2026)
• Rocco Reitz (Midfielder, on loan from Borussia Dortmund until June 2026)

Rumored Departures: Who Could Be on the Way Out?

Beyond the players whose contracts are expiring, several first-team regulars have been the subject of transfer speculation. While none of these moves have been confirmed, credible reports suggest the following players could be on the move:

• Haris Tabaković (Forward): The Swiss striker has been Gladbach’s top scorer this season with 11 league goals (13 in all competitions), but his future is uncertain. Tabaković, 30, has been linked with a return to Switzerland, where he previously played for FC Basel. His contract runs until 2027, but if a suitable offer arrives, the club may be tempted to cash in.
• Joe Scally (Defender): The 22-year-old American right-back has been one of Gladbach’s standout performers this season, and his performances have attracted interest from Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Scally’s contract runs until 2026, but with his stock rising, the club could face a difficult decision if a lucrative bid arrives.
• Ko Itakura (Defender): The Japanese center-back, on loan from Manchester City until June 2026, has been a key figure in Gladbach’s defense. However, with City reportedly open to selling him permanently, Itakura could be a target for clubs in England and Germany. His future may depend on whether Gladbach can afford his asking price.

Potential Arrivals: Who Could Be Joining?

With several key players potentially departing, Gladbach are expected to be active in the summer transfer window. While no signings have been confirmed, the following targets have been linked with the club:

• Maximilian Beier (Forward, TSG Hoffenheim): The 21-year-old German striker has been one of the breakout stars of the Bundesliga this season, scoring 12 goals for Hoffenheim. Beier, who is out of contract in 2027, has been linked with a move to Gladbach as a potential replacement for Tabaković. His versatility and goal-scoring ability produce him an attractive option.
• Tom Krauß (Midfielder, RB Leipzig): The 23-year-old German midfielder has struggled for playing time at Leipzig and could be available for a loan move. Krauß, a product of the RB Leipzig academy, has been linked with a return to the Bundesliga’s mid-table clubs, including Gladbach. His energy and technical ability could bolster Polanski’s midfield.
• Jonas Hofmann (Winger, Bayer Leverkusen): The 33-year-old veteran, who began his career at Gladbach, has been linked with a return to the club. Hofmann, who is out of contract in 2026, has expressed a desire to play in the Bundesliga next season, and Gladbach could offer him a short-term deal to add experience to their squad.

the club is reportedly targeting young talent from lower divisions and abroad, including:

• Luca Unbehaun (Goalkeeper, Borussia Dortmund II): The 22-year-old German goalkeeper has impressed for Dortmund’s reserve team and could be a long-term replacement for Sippel.
• Mathias Olesen (Midfielder, FC Köln): The 21-year-old Luxembourg international has been linked with a move to Gladbach as part of their push to develop young talent.

What It Means for the 2026-27 Season

The outcome of Gladbach’s final three matches will shape their transfer strategy. If they secure Bundesliga survival, the club is likely to focus on targeted reinforcements—particularly in attack and defense—to build on Polanski’s foundations. However, if they are relegated, a fire sale of key players could be on the cards, with the club forced to rebuild in the 2. Bundesliga.

Sporting director Rouven Schröder has emphasized the need for a “clear plan” this summer, regardless of the club’s league status. In a recent interview with Kicker, he stated: “We need to be smart about our transfers. One can’t just sign players for the sake of it. We need to identify the right profiles—players who can help us immediately but also fit into our long-term vision.”

That vision, according to Schröder, includes a mix of young talent and experienced leaders. “We want to build a squad that is competitive but also sustainable. That means investing in players who can grow with the club, not just short-term fixes.”

The Remaining Fixtures: A Do-or-Die Run

Gladbach’s final three matches of the 2025-26 season are as follows:

• Matchday 32 (May 3, 2026): Home vs. Borussia Dortmund (Sunday, 5:30 PM local time / 3:30 PM UTC)
• Matchday 33 (May 9, 2026): Away to FC Augsburg (Saturday, 3:30 PM local time / 1:30 PM UTC)
• Matchday 34 (May 16, 2026): Home vs. 1899 Hoffenheim (Saturday, 3:30 PM local time / 1:30 PM UTC)

Dortmund, currently second in the table with 67 points, will be looking to secure Champions League football, while Augsburg (37 points) and Hoffenheim (57 points) are both battling for European qualification. For Gladbach, every point will be crucial in their fight to avoid the relegation playoff.

Key Questions for the Summer

As the season winds down, several key questions will shape Gladbach’s transfer strategy:

1. Will Tabaković stay or go?: If the club’s top scorer departs, they will need to find a replacement capable of leading the line. Beier and Hofmann are potential options, but neither is a like-for-like replacement.
2. Can they keep Scally?: The American defender has been linked with Premier League moves, and Gladbach may struggle to match the financial packages on offer in England.
3. What happens to the out-of-contract players?: Sippel and Lainer’s futures remain uncertain, and the club must decide whether to offer them new deals or look elsewhere for experience.
4. Will relegation force a fire sale?: If Gladbach drop into the 2. Bundesliga, they may be forced to sell key players to balance the books. Neuhaus, Itakura, and even Scally could be on the chopping block.

What’s Next?

Gladbach’s immediate focus is on securing their Bundesliga status. A win against Dortmund on May 3 would go a long way toward easing relegation fears, but with Augsburg and Hoffenheim still to come, nothing is certain.

Off the pitch, the club’s transfer team will be working overtime to identify targets and potential sales. Schröder and Polanski are expected to hold a joint press conference in early May to outline their plans for the summer, including their transfer priorities and budget.

For now, fans can only watch and wait—and hope that their team’s end-of-season form doesn’t force a summer of upheaval.

Key Takeaways

• Gladbach are 11th in the Bundesliga with 32 points, four points clear of the relegation playoff.
• Several key players, including Tobias Sippel and Stefan Lainer, are out of contract this summer.
• Top scorer Haris Tabaković (11 league goals) has been linked with a move away, as has defender Joe Scally.
• The club is targeting young talent like Maximilian Beier and Tom Krauß, as well as experienced players like Jonas Hofmann.
• Relegation could force a fire sale of key players, while survival would allow for a more measured rebuild.

What do you think? Should Gladbach hold onto their key players or rebuild in the summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.