After his imminent departure from Borussia Dortmund this summer, midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud wants to continue playing in a big league.

“I am really looking forward to a new challenge. I definitely want to play at a high level in one of the top leagues,” the 27-year-old told Sport1. BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl had previously announced in Bild that Dahoud would not be offered a new contract at the current Bundesliga runners-up.

According to the Sport1 report on Monday evening, Italian clubs AC Milan and SSC Napoli as well as Sevilla FC and Leicester City are said to have expressed interest in signing the two-time international. “Until the summer, I am fully focused on BVB and want to help achieve our goals. If the team needs me, I’ll be there 100 per cent,” Dahoud said.

He had moved to Dortmund from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2017 and has played 137 competitive games for BVB so far. This season, he hardly made an appearance under coach Edin Terzic, also due to a shoulder injury. “The time at Dortmund was wonderful and above all the fans always supported me. There is therefore a special connection. I am very grateful for that,” said Dahoud about his time at BVB.