Borussia Dortmund already has plans for the winter transfer period. What’s surprising is a transfer ban. That’s what sporting director Sebastian Kehl says.

Borussia Dortmund is heading for a relatively quiet transfer winter. “There may be one or two squad changes, but nothing crazy,” sporting director Sebastian Kehl had already announced after the 2-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The squad planner ruled out Fabio Silva’s departure following rumors in recent days. Another professional has also been banned from transferring for the time being: talented center back Filippo Mane. “Filippo was very close to playing again today,” Kehl said. “So it’s not the plan to let him go at the moment. I’ve discussed that with him.” The 20-year-old Italian hardly played for the pros in the first half of the season and, after three appearances at the start of the season, found himself back in the regional league team.

In recent months, Mane was no longer even part of the regular professional training squad, but made nine appearances in the fourth division under U23 coach Daniel Rios. In the meantime, BVB loaned Aaron Anselmino from Chelsea FC, and the 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, despite his dissatisfaction with the prospects. “I can understand that the boys have different expectations. But being so close is also a great opportunity,” said Kehl.

Loan to Mane still conceivable at the end of January

Mane is expected to travel to the training camp in Marbella (Spain), as defensive concerns could continue at the start of the new year. Anton and Anselmino were already missing in 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 will have a lot of games and will certainly not make any early decisions that could ultimately come back to haunt us,” said Kehl, presumably referring to the situation in central defense.

At the end of the transfer window, there could therefore be new developments regarding Mane once the established players are back. A loan could boost the 20-year-old’s career. He was shown a red card on his Bundesliga debut on the first matchday against FC St. Pauli and was subsequently left out.

In addition to Mane, two other talents are set to leave in the winter: Julien Duranville, who was once again not in the squad against Mönchengladbach, and Cole Campbell want to leave the club due to a lack of professional prospects. While a permanent transfer is on the cards for US talent Campbell, a loan in the near future seems to be the most realistic scenario for Duranville.