Auch wenn Borussia Dortmund dank eines beeindruckenden Laufs das Finale der Champions League erreichte, verlief die Saison 2023/24 für den Verein nicht erfolgreich.
Die Schwarzgelben erreichten mit dem fünften Platz ihre niedrigste Ligaplatzierung seit neun Spielzeiten.
Ihr Punktestand von 63 war 27 niedriger als der des ungeschlagenen Meisters Bayer Leverkusen und ihr niedrigster seit sechs Jahren.
Auch der Lauf des BVB im DFB-Pokal endete abrupt.
Nachdem man Schott Mainz und Hoffenheim ausgeschaltet hatte, kam man im Dezember nicht über das Achtelfinale hinaus und verlor mit 0:2 in Stuttgart.
Für die Mannschaft von Edin Terzic war es ein sehr frustrierendes Jahr, in der zweiten Saisonhälfte besserte sich ihre Bilanz jedoch deutlich.
Die im Januar neu dazugekommenen Jadon Sancho und Ian Maatsen machten den Unterschied und spielten eine Schlüsselrolle beim Einzug der Schwarz-Gelben in Wembley.
Doch wie wollen sich die „Borussen“ in der nächsten Saison verbessern, nachdem Lars Ricken nun CEO ist, Nuri Sahin nun Cheftrainer ist und die Vereinslegenden Marco Reus und Mats Hummels den Verein verlassen haben?
Der ehemalige Chefscout Sven Mislintat ist nun als „Squad Planner“ zurück im Signal Iduna Park.
Während es für ihn früher vorrangig war, junge Talente zu finden, die er fördern und entwickeln konnte, scheinen seine bisherigen Ziele nicht ganz in dieses Schema zu passen.
Es besteht jedoch Hoffnung, dass die Rückkehr des „Diamond Eye“ an die Erfolge vergangener Jahre anknüpfen kann.
Mit Sahin an der Spitze, Mislintat als Talentsucher und Ricken und Sebastian Kehl als Entscheidungsträgern hofft Dortmund, dass dies der Beginn einer neuen Ära sein könnte.
Doch welche Akteure können dabei helfen, dieses Ziel zu erreichen?
Serhou Guirassy
Mit Serhou Guirassy kommt ein Spieler nach Nordrhein-Westfalen, der die Bundesliga in dieser Saison im Sturm erobert hat.
In 28 Ligaspielen für den VfB Stuttgart erzielte der Stürmer 28 Tore und bereitete zwei weitere Treffer vor.
Mit 28 Jahren ist der malische Nationalspieler in seinen besten Jahren und hatte großen Anteil daran, dass Stuttgart Bayern München vom zweiten Platz verdrängen konnte.
Bis November hatte Guirassy in acht Bundesligaspielen 14 Tore erzielt.
Er beendete die Saison ebenfalls mit Stil, indem er gegen Borussia Mönchengladbach einen Doppelpack erzielte. Von März bis April war er außerdem in Topform und erzielte in sechs Spielen sieben Tore.
Zu dieser Zeit gehörte auch ein Sieg im Signal Iduna Park.
Der BVB ist mit dem ehemaligen Spieler von Rennes bestens vertraut; auch im Hinspiel erzielte er als Einwechselspieler das Siegtor gegen die Reds, und auch im bereits erwähnten Pokalspiel war er erfolgreich.
Niclas Füllkrug führte die Angriffsreihe der Schwarzgelben gegen Ende der Spielzeit gut an.
Allerdings erzielte das Team deutlich weniger Tore als die vier vor ihm liegenden Teams in der Tabelle.
Wenn Guirassy so weitermachen kann, wird der Dortmunder Angriff über erhebliche Feuerkraft verfügen.
Die Ausstiegsklausel in Höhe von 17,5 Millionen Euro könnte ein unglaubliches Schnäppchen sein.
Dies könnte jedoch Abgänge von Sébastien Haller und/oder Youssoufa Moukoko bedeuten.
The former is reportedly wanted by Mexican side Juarez and Besiktas, while Moukoko sees Sahin’s arrival as a ‘great opportunity’.
Waldemar Anton
Uzbekistan-born German defender Waldemar Anton is also set to arrive from Stuttgart, as ‘die Borussen’ look to complete a raid of the Baden-Württemberg side.
Anton has been with ‘die Schwaben’ for four years now after signing from Hannover in 2020.
But it was in the 2023/24 season where the six foot two centre-back really made his name.
As Sebastian Hoeness’ side shook the Bundesliga in finishing as runners-up and qualifying for the Champions League, Anton was captain and their rock at the back.
Earning plenty of plaudits throughout the campaign, the 27-year-old became a Germany international in March and was included in their squad for Euro 2024.
Anton missed Stuttgart’s trip to Signal Iduna Park in April due to suspension – the only match he missed all term.
Meanwhile, he started at right-back in the reverse fixture.
As per reports, Nuri Sahin was happy for the club to fork out the player’s €22m release clause.
Anton is expected to sign a four-year deal after the Euros.
Securing the signatures of two of the Bundesliga’s star performers from last season – both in their prime years – for under €40m seems like great business.
Pascal Groß
Borussia Dortmund’s third target is another German international.
Pascal Groß is Brighton’s third longest-serving player behind Lewis Dunk and Solly March.
The playmaker has been with the Seagulls since their promotion to the Premier League in 2017.
In the years since, the English side have established themselves in the top flight as one of the most well-ran clubs in Europe.
Groß has been a star performer for Albion, hitting eight assists in four different league campaigns.
His form has never been better than it’s been in the last two seasons, however.
In the 2022-23 season, the midfielder registered 10 goals and 10 assists as Roberto de Zerbi’s side qualified for the Europa League.
This season, he scored five times and claimed 13 assists – 10 of which coming in his most productive league campaign.
Such form saw Groß rewarded with a senior international call-up in September. Along with Anton, he was also included in Julian Nagelsmann’s Euro 2024 squad.
Groß earned his move to the Premier League after a fruitful few years with Ingolstadt.
He notched six goals and 12 assists in the German top flight from 2015-2017.
In the late 2000s, the 33-year-old also made a handful of Bundesliga appearances for Hoffenheim.
The Black and Yellows are reportedly close to reaching a verbal agreement with Groß, with negotiations expected to commence soon over a transfer in the region of €7-10m.
The player may sign a two-year deal with the option of extending it by another year, or a simple three-year contract.
Groß is enjoying his best football and ageing like a fine wine.
He can also play at right-back and anywhere in the midfield; this seems like another smart move for Dortmund.
Ferdi Kadioglu
Nuri Sahin is also reportedly looking to bolster one or two other areas in his squad.
As mentioned, Sancho and Maatsen made a huge difference when they came in on loan.
The former has returned to Manchester United with his future up in the air; it appears that ‘die Borussen’ could be priced out of a deal to bring him back permanently.
Maatsen, meanwhile, has now completed a move to Aston Villa from Chelsea.
This means a new left-back could be inbound at Signal Iduna Park.
A full-back pairing of Maatsen and Julian Ryerson worked much better than Ryerson and Marius Wolf had previously.
With that, Fenerbahce’s Ferdi Kadioglu is on the club’s radar.
The Dutch-born Türkiye international played almost every minute this season for a Fenerbahce side that lost just once throughout the entire term.
He has also played every minute so far for Türkiye at the Euros and is one of the most highly-rated of the country’s current crop of talent.
Sahin will be familiar with Kadioglu, who moved to the Süper Lig in 2018.
The 24-year-old has a number of suitors vying for his signature.
BVB are one of the clubs who have been most strongly linked.
However, like Sancho, the €30m fee reportedly wanted by Fenerbahce may be out of the club’s price range.
Rayan Cherki
Borussia Dortmund are a club widely renowned for their ability to develop and nurture young talents.
It was ‘die Schwarzgelben’ who put Sancho on the map.
To replace the Englishman, the club are reportedly looking at another highly-rated young prospect.
Olympique Lyon’s Rayan Cherki can play on either wing and at attacking midfield.
A silky playmaker with immense technical ability, the 20-year-old impressed as Lyon completed a miraculous turnaround this season, going from the relegation zone to qualifying for Europe.
Cherki registered three goals and nine assists in all competitions last term.
The Black and Yellows are the frontrunners in the race to sign the Frenchman, who is also eligible to play for Algeria.
French media seem certain Cherki will be playing in North Rhine-Westphalia this season.
The club are reportedly making progress in agreeing personal terms with the player.
An agreement between the clubs has yet to be reached. €15m appears to be the figure being reported most frequently.
But this first window under the current hierarchical structure appears promising.
Anton and Guirassy are Bundesliga proven. They’re in their prime years. They’re on the back of phenomenal campaigns with a Stuttgart side that took the Bundesliga by storm.
The pair will also reinforce positions that have been lacking for BVB in recent years.
The same applies to the other three players listed.
Groß will provide experience. He is also in his prime. His versatility and quality will be major assets for Sahin.
Kadioglu and Cherki are both still learning their trade and developing their game. A move to Dortmund represents a step up for both players and given the club’s knack for making stars, these would be really promising signings.
Alle aufgeführten Gebühren erscheinen außerdem sehr angemessen – einige scheinen echte Schnäppchen zu sein.
Alles in allem scheint es, als könnte der BVB mit seinem Sommergeschäft 2024 ein echtes Statement setzen.
Das sieht nach einem vielversprechenden Start für Ricken, Mislintat, Sahin und Co. aus.