Borussia Dortmund’s search for wingers ahead of the recent season has reignited interest in a former protégé of Niko Kovac, according to recent reports from German transfer outlets. The club’s pursuit of attacking width comes as it evaluates options to strengthen its flanks for the 2025-26 Bundesliga campaign.
Patrick Wimmer, the Austrian international currently playing for VfL Wolfsburg, has emerged as a name in Dortmund’s considerations, per FussballTransfers.com. Wimmer, who previously worked under Kovac during the Croatian coach’s tenure at AS Monaco, fits the profile of a versatile wide player capable of operating on either flank.
Wolfsburg confirmed Wimmer’s status as a squad member ahead of their preseason preparations, with the player having made 28 Bundesliga appearances last season, contributing three goals and five assists. His contract with the Lower Saxony club runs until June 2027.
Dortmund’s require for wing depth follows the departure of Jamie Gittens to Chelsea in a deal completed last summer, which saw the English winger move to Stamford Bridge for an initial fee reported by Goal.com to be in the region of €25 million plus add-ons. The transfer was part of a broader trading relationship between the two clubs, which also saw Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Anselmino join Dortmund from Chelsea.
Chukwuemeka signed permanently in August 2024 after extended negotiations, even as Anselmino arrived on a season-long loan from Chelsea’s academy. Both moves were confirmed by Borussia Dortmund through official club statements released on their website.
The potential re-engagement with Kovac-linked players reflects a pattern in Dortmund’s recent recruitment strategy. Earlier in 2025, the club was linked with a move for Caio Henrique of AS Monaco, a left-back who played under Kovac between 2020, and 2022. L’Équipe reported that Dortmund had considered Henrique during the winter transfer window, though he ultimately remained at Monaco after stabilizing his place in the team under coach Adi Hütter.
Henrique, now 27, has since regained regular starting status at Monaco, appearing in 22 Ligue 1 matches this season and helping the club secure a top-four finish that qualifies them for the UEFA Champions League group stage. His contract with the principality club extends to 2026.
More recently, Dortmund has been connected with Axel Disasi, the French central defender who also worked under Kovac at Monaco. Disasi, capable of playing at right-back, was linked with a return to the Bundesliga after falling out of favor at Chelsea under head coach Enzo Maresca. Bild reported in October 2024 that Dortmund had reignited interest in the 27-year-old, whose Chelsea contract runs until 2029.
Disasi spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Aston Villa, where he made 10 Premier League and Champions League appearances. Since returning to Chelsea, he has not featured in a matchday squad, with Maresca opting for other defensive options.
None of these potential transfers have been confirmed by Borussia Dortmund, VfL Wolfsburg, AS Monaco, or Chelsea. Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl has not publicly addressed the Wimmer speculation in recent press conferences, maintaining the club’s standard policy of not commenting on transfer rumors.
Kovac, now in his second season as head coach of Monaco, led the club to a third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, securing direct Champions League qualification. His tactical setup often utilizes wing-backs in a 3-4-3 formation, which could align with Wimmer’s ability to contribute both defensively and offensively from wide areas.
Wimmer’s international experience includes 25 caps for Austria, with his most recent appearance coming in a UEFA Nations League match against Slovenia in November 2024. He has played in two major tournaments for his country: UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2024 edition in Germany.
For Dortmund, adding a player like Wimmer would address a clear need on the right wing, where Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi have primarily operated in recent months. Brandt’s contract extends to 2026, while Adeyemi is tied to the club until 2027.
The Bundesliga season is set to resume on August 22, 2025, with Dortmund opening their campaign away at Augsburg. Wolfsburg begins their season at home against Union Berlin on the same date.
As the transfer window progresses, Dortmund’s activity will be monitored closely by fans and analysts alike, particularly regarding whether the club moves to secure a player with prior ties to its head coach’s former environment.
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