Borussia Dortmund already has plans for the winter transfer window. Surprisingly, a transfer ban is in place. Here’s what sporting director Sebastian Kehl has to say.
Borussia Dortmund is heading toward a relatively quiet winter transfer window. “There might be one or two roster moves, but nothing crazy right now,” sporting director Sebastian Kehl had already indicated after the 2-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The roster planner ruled out a departure for Fabio Silva following rumors in recent days. And another player has also been barred from leaving for the time being: talented center-back Filippo Mane.
“Filippo was very close to playing again today,” said Kehl. “So for now, the plan is not to let him go. I’ve discussed that with him.” The 20-year-old Italian barely played a role with the first team in the first half of the season and, after three appearances at the start of the season, found himself relegated to the Regionalliga squad.
In recent months, Mane wasn’t even part of the regular professional training squad anymore, instead racking up nine appearances in the fourth division under U23 coach Daniel Rios. In the meantime, BVB signed Aaron Anselmino on loan from Chelsea FC, and competition with Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini, Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Niklas Süle was fierce. Nevertheless, BVB does not want to let Mane go for the time being, as he is dissatisfied with his prospects. “I can understand that the guys have different aspirations. But being this close is also a great opportunity,” said Kehl.
A loan move for Mane is still conceivable toward the end of January
Mane is expected to travel to the training camp in Marbella (Spain), as defensive concerns could persist at the start of the new year. Anton and Anselmino were already absent for the Christmas finale against Gladbach, and Bensebaini may be away at the Africa Cup of Nations until mid-January. “January will be a long month. We’ll have a lot of games and certainly won’t make any premature decisions that could ultimately come back to haunt us,” said Kehl, likely referring primarily to the situation at center back.
At the end of the transfer window, there could therefore be new developments regarding Mane once the established players return. A loan could give the 20-year-old’s career a boost. He received a red card during his Bundesliga debut on the first matchday against FC St. Pauli and has been sidelined ever since.
In addition to Mane, two other talents are poised to leave in the winter: Julien Duranville, who was once again left out of the squad against Mönchengladbach, and Cole Campbell want to leave the club due to a lack of prospects for a professional career. While a permanent transfer is on the table for the American talent Campbell, a loan in the near future seems to be the most realistic scenario for Duranville.