Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly poised to make the loan signing of Paco Alcacer from Barcelona a permanent transfer. 

According to Bild (h/t Football Espana), the Bundesliga side will pay €23 million (£20 million) after the Spain international moved to the Westfalenstadion on a temporary basis in the summer.

In addition, Football Espana also noted a report from AS that said BVB will definitely make this a permanent move following the 25-year-old's red-hot start to the 2018-19 campaign.

Football Espana added that any move would be a four-year deal and include an €8 million (£7 million) annual salary for the Spain forward, which would only put him behind Marco Reus and Mario Gotze in terms of earnings at the club.

While the former Valencia man struggled to make an impression in his two seasons at the Camp Nou, a change of environment and a different style of football appears to have brought the best out of him again.

As of yet, he's not played many minutes for Dortmund, although that's not stopped him being prolific in front of goal:

Paco Alcácer now has nine goals for the season. Tonight was only his second start! Just 216 minutes in total. Exactly a goal every 24 minutes.

— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) October 11, 2018

His start to the campaign also earned him a call up to the Spanish national side for recent fixtures, and in the 4-1 win over Wales in Cardiff on Thursday he continued his potent run, netting twice as La Roja mauled their opponents.

The goals were his first for the national team since he scored a brace against Luxembourg in 2015.

Speaking afterwards, Alcacer spoke about why he feels he is playing so well after leaving the Blaugrana, per Sport.

"Goals are [a] question of form, confidence and having minutes, and training as hard as possible when things aren't going well," he said. "What [Spain manager] Luis Enrique said was that who would come (to the national team squad) would be he who deserved it. To stay in the national team I have to maintain this dynamic."

Few would've anticipated Alcacer making such a sensational beginning to the campaign, though, and at the moment he is outshining Barcelona's current No. 9, Luis Suarez:

Paco Alcacer kept up his red-hot form with two goals for Spain—should Barcelona have let him go out on loan? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/s1iTy8gjJM

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 11, 2018

When Barcelona signed Alcacer it didn't appear a natural fit. The striker feeds off scraps in the box and is a fine finisher when things drop to him, but he's not a footballer who gets involved in the buildup play, meaning he was often on the periphery of matches in Blaugrana colours.

At Dortmund he appears poised to become a key man and a regular source of goals again. The fact BVB are seemingly set to make this transfer permanent so soon is testament to how impressed they've been with him so far this term.

Borussia Dortmund will reportedly offer England youth international Jadon Sancho a new contract after his exceptional start to the 2018-19 campaign. 

The 18-year-old joined BVB in the summer of 2017 from Manchester City and impressed plenty with his displays in his debut season. In 2018-19 he's stepped up again, notching five assists and one goal in just 125 minutes of action.

Following his blistering recent form the Bundesliga side will seek to give Sancho an extension to his current terms, according to Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror.

"The deal Sancho signed with BVB upon arriving last summer runs until 2020," said Richards. "Dortmund also hold a two-year option to extend the deal. But so delighted have club chiefs been that they are looking to hand Sancho a longer contract on improved terms, partially to ward off any interest from Premier League clubs."

Per Richards, there has also been talk of England manager Gareth Southgate including the winger in his squad.

What makes the haul of assists all the more impressive is the fact that he has yet to start a game for Dortmund in 2018-19; BVB are the surprise leaders of the German top flight following Bayern Munich's loss to Hertha Berlin on Friday.

Here are the numbers behind his brilliant beginning to the season:

Jadon Sancho in the Bundesliga so far this season:

6 appearances
125 minutes
10 chances created
5 assists
4 take-ons completed
1 shot
1 goal

Yet to actually start a game. 😳 pic.twitter.com/wzIrA18KiJ

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 30, 2018

Sancho isn't just entering games and adding the gloss to scorelines. On Saturday he was brought onto the field with his team 2-1 down at Bayer Leverkusen; he set up two goals as Lucien Favre's side won 4-2.

While there will naturally be calls to start the youngster, at the moment he is proving to be an asset to the team late in games against tired defences.

Sancho has incredible natural talent, and he can manipulate the ball quickly in tight spaces. Additionally, the electrifying pace he possesses makes him such a difficult player for opponents to stop.

Simon Stone of BBC Sport thinks it's only a matter of time before he is in the England setup:

Two more assists for Jadon Sancho today. Surely he will play for England this season.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) September 29, 2018

Sancho has shone with the England youth teams too and was part of the Three Lions side that won the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup. As of yet, he's not featured for the under-21s, meaning a pick for the senior team would be a huge jump up.

While interest from elite clubs feels inevitable, he's reaping the benefits of getting regular game time at the moment and will surely be happy to stay with BVB for a long time yet. Had he remained at City, it's tough to envisage he would've got anywhere near as many opportunities to play senior football.

Christian Pulisic was ruled out of Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga clash at Hannover on Friday with a muscle injury: 

.@cpulisic_10 did not travel to Hannover (muscular problems) #H96BVB pic.twitter.com/UFbNQzQI9y

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 31, 2018

Manager Lucien Favre brought in Marius Wolf in place of Pulisic for Dortmund's second league match of the new season.

The injury will be a worry to the United States ahead of the international break. Interim coach Dave Sarachan's side take on Brazil and Mexico in friendlies in September.

Pulisic's omission also means he missed the chance to make his 100th Bundesliga appearance for Borussia Dortmund since joining the club in 2015.

He picked up the injury during Dortmund's 4-1 win over RB Leipzig on Sunday. He is rated as doubtful for both international matches, according to ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld.

The 19-year-old was a real threat against Leipzig. He was also frequently fouled, according to Paul Carr at TruMedia Sports:

Christian Pulisic was (officially) fouled six times in the first half today vs RB Leipzig.

That's already the most he's been fouled in any of his 71 career Bundesliga games.

— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) August 26, 2018

Pulisic was replaced after 77 minutes by Jadon Sancho. The substitute made an impact off the bench, as he set up Marco Reus for Dortmund's fourth and final goal.

The United States face Brazil at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on September 8. They go on to play Mexico at Nashville's Nissan Stadium on September 12. 

Sarachan had talked up Pulisic ahead of both games, per Mike Organ at The Tennessean.

"He's a game-changer," he said. "He's a guy that can make plays, create changes, score goals. That's a commodity you don't always get with teams. Of all the players now that I look at within our roster in terms of who can really change the outcome of a game, Christian is a guy that has that potential."

Sarachan may now have to make do without his star man for the two high-profile games which will be a blow as he tries to find the right blend between youth and experience ahead of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Barcelona forward Paco Alcacer joined Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday on a season-long loan deal.

The Bundesliga outfit confirmed the deal for the out-of-favour Barca striker, who moved to the Camp Nou from Valencia in 2016 for €30 million:

😃 Heute in Dortmund... pic.twitter.com/tUgf1QoUfw

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) August 28, 2018

BREAKING: @paco93alcacer joins Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan from Barcelona pic.twitter.com/LJonnuPaPj

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 28, 2018

Barcelona said in a club statement that BVB will pay €2 million (£1.8 million) for the loan deal and will also cover Alcacer's wages, while the German club have an option to buy the Spaniard permanently for €23 million (£21 million).

Alcacer, 24, was only brought in as a back-up attacking option, and his impact at Barcelona reflects that position in the pecking order.

It took him until December of his first season with the Blaugrana to get his first goal in the famous colours, and he departs the club having made just 14 La Liga starts in two full seasons.

He did, though, return 10 goals in the Spanish top flight in 1,544 minutes of action for Barca, and Goal's Ronan Murphy believes he will be a fine addition at the Westfalenstadion:

Paco Alcacer will be a brilliant signing for Dortmund. Averaged around 1 in 3 for Barcelona despite never getting a long run in the team. Clearly a talented goalscorer and his all-round abilities should make him the perfect Lucien Favre forward. #BVB

— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) August 28, 2018

Alcacer should be afforded a lot more game time at Dortmund than he has had in the last two seasons at the Camp Nou.

His aim will likely be to return to the type of form that tempted Barcelona into signing him in the first place when he netted 13 times and provided six assists in La Liga for Valencia in 2015-16.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona to take Paco Alcacer on loan for the season.

According to Mari Carmen Torres of Marca, the Bundesliga side will pay €2.2 million (£2 million) to land the former Valencia man, who has struggled to get minutes at the Camp Nou following his arrival in 2016.

According to Bild (h/t Torres), Dortmund will have the opportunity to buy Alcacer outright for €25 million (£22.6 million) at the end of the year.

Torres noted Dortmund have spent a large part of the transfer window trying to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who left the club to join Arsenal in January. BVB took Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea for the second half of the previous season, but he's moved to Valencia this term.

It's left Dortmund with a lack of high-class options up top ahead of the Bundesliga season, which they start against RB Leipzig on Sunday. Maximilian Philipp and Alexander Isak are the only recognized strikers in the first-team squad. Philipp only bagged nine Bundesliga goals last season in 20 appearances, while Isak went scoreless in five outings.

Football journalist Lars Pollmann is disappointed it has taken so long for Dortmund to bring in a striker given the length of time since Aubameyang's departure:

https://twitter.com/LarsPollmann/status/1032721981467185152

If Alcacer does arrive, there will be pressure on him to perform, especially given the creative talents he will have behind him, such as Marco Reus, Christian Pulisic and Shinji Kagawa.

The 24-year-old's career has stalled at Barcelona, though, so it may take some time for him to build up his confidence. Alcacer has only started 14 matches in La Liga in his two seasons at the Camp Nou, netting a total of 10 goals.

Still, there is clearly talent to tap into, as he excelled during his time at Valencia. In 124 appearances for Los Che, Alcacer hit 43 goals and provided 17 assists. During that time, he also forced his way into the Spain team, making 13 appearances.

These numbers show that at Barcelona, he's not been afforded the chance to showcase his talents too frequently:

Paco Alcácer's minutes played in LaLiga since 2013/14:

2013/14: 1542(Valencia)
2014/15: 2174 (Valencia)
2015/16: 2420 (Valencia)
2016/17: 849 (Barcelona)
2017/18: 656 (Barcelona)

Limited time at Barcelona. ⏲️ pic.twitter.com/2P5RSOZ9io

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 9, 2018

With Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho to call on in the final third—as well as Neymar in his first season—that's not a great surprise. 

If the likes of Pulisic, Reus and Kagawa can provide the Barcelona man with the right service, he has the chance to revive his career at Westfalenstadion.

Borussia Dortmund have agreed to sign Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel from Tianjin Quanjian on a reported four-year deal.

The club announced the news on their official website, and Goal's Ryan Benson detailed the length of contract after Dortmund triggered his €20 million (£17.9 million) release clause.

The 29-year-old midfielder was one of the standouts for Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, anchoring the side and allowing Kevin De Bruyne the opportunity to contribute further up the pitch. His good showing was always likely to result in a move back to Europe.

Witsel has had an unusual career filled with ups and downs, and it's remarkable he has only now joined a club in a top league.

A product of Standard Liege's academy that also produced Marouane Fellaini and Steven Defour, he immediately impressed as a youngster in Belgium but courted controversy for an incident with Marcin Wasilewski that resulted in a lengthy suspension.

He overcame the setback and the negative public perception he had at the time, earning a move to Benfica in 2011. One year later, he moved to Zenit Saint Petersburg, who had plans to become a European powerhouse and also splashed the cash on the likes of Hulk.

He continued his development in Russia and caught the attention of Juventus, with his transfer to a top club seemingly finally arriving in 2016. He even traveled to Turin and passed medical tests, only for Zenit to pull the plug on the deal at the last moment:

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/771091809837678596

A few months later, Witsel accepted an offer from China. Many thought it was the end of his career at the top, but he remained one of the first names on Belgium's teamsheet, starting over the likes of Mousa Dembele and Youri Tielemans.

He more than earned the trust from Roberto Martinez:

Witsel works best as a controlling midfielder, sweeping up the ball ahead of the defence and shielding creative team-mates. He mostly relies on positioning rather than brute force, but he is physical enough to match up with bruisers as well.

He's in his prime and has moved about quite a bit already―Witsel should have no issues adapting to his new surroundings, something he has done many times before.

With bags of experience, Witsel profiles as an instant-impact player, making this a smart bit of business from Dortmund.  

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly ready to resist any offers they receive for star man Christian Pulisic late in the transfer window.

According to Simon Jones of MailOnline, the Bundesliga side were considering selling the United States international earlier in the summer, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich both said to be interested.

However, Jones suggested any suitors have missed their chance to sign the 19-year-old because BVB don't have sufficient time to find a suitable replacement.

"Dortmund had hoped to convince Pulisic to stay for the long term but recognise there is a risk of repeating the Robert Lewandowski scenario that rocked the club in 2014," Jones reported. "Then, the Polish centre-forward, their most valued asset, turned down new terms and ran down his contract before joining rivals Bayern Munich on a free."

With that in mind, Dortmund may consider doing a deal similar to the transfer that took Naby Keita from RB Leipzig to Liverpool; the Guinea international agreed to join the Premier League side last summer but only made the move to Anfield in this transfer window.

Dortmund are said to value Pulisic in the region of £60 million, and Bayern are said to have made him their top target for the 2019 transfer window. Men in Blazers would like to see Pulisic in the Premier League:

Pulisic to the Premier League is gonna be like The End Of Days 🙌🇺🇸

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 28, 2018

While the midfielder is already a recognised name among football fans, he is still in the infancy of what is expected to be a brilliant career.

Pulisic doesn't turn 20 until September and has already played 70 league games for Dortmund, as well as 21 matches for the United States. His progress has been rapid, and his talent is there for all to see.

It's why links to clubs like Bayern and Chelsea make sense, and why, according to Jones, teams like Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United have been tracking the teenager's progress too. Writer Ste Hoare said he would love to see Liverpool make a move for the player:

https://twitter.com/stehoare/status/1023686933636100097

Another year at Dortmund may be to Pulisic's benefit. He still has a lot of rough edges in his game to smooth down. As WhoScored.com illustrated, he is capricious when setting off on one of his slaloming runs:

Christian Pulisic: Embarked upon more unsuccessful dribbles (105) than any other player in the Bundesliga last season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/FdAxNKr1iC pic.twitter.com/oLOBlckcLH

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) July 29, 2018

It would be preferable for Pulisic to undergo that process at Dortmund, where he will be a key man in a relatively low-pressure environment. A big-money move to a European giant would ramp up expectations on the American regardless of his tender years.

Pulisic needs to improve his decision-making in the final third and carve out a regular role in this Dortmund side in 2018-19. But with his contract set to expire in 2020, keeping him at Westfalenstadion beyond the upcoming campaign will be a challenge for the Bundesliga side.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly in a strong position to keep Christian Pulisic this summer, although the club are said to be ready to sell the youngster at the end of the upcoming campaign if he doesn't extend his contract. 

According to Raphael Honigstein of ESPN FC, the Bundesliga side have yet to receive any offers for the United States international in this window despite recent links to Chelsea and Liverpool.

"Premier League clubs only have 10 days left to complete signings before the transfer window ends next Thursday, and with no formal bid yet to be filed, sources said Dortmund expect Pulisic to stay with the team for the coming season," continued the report.

It's added that if Pulisic doesn't agree fresh terms before the end of the campaign BVB will consider selling him next summer as his current contract expires in 2020.

Honigstein provided more information in regards to Pulisic's situation to ESPN FC:

Christian Pulisic doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon... pic.twitter.com/KweDHZ6kwU

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 31, 2018

According to Bild, representatives for Pulisic have opted against entering into discussions with Dortmund over a possible new contract at the Westfalenstadion. According to Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror, Chelsea have held talks with BVB about a possible £65 million transfer.

Pulisic has earned a reputation as one of the best young talents in the Bundesliga in recent years, bursting into the Dortmund first team and lighting up many a match in Germany.

The teenager has also excelled on the international stage and is a key figure for the USMNT. In 21 senior appearances for the United States, he's scored on nine occasions.

Still, as these figures illustrate, there are still rough edges in his game:

Christian Pulisic: Embarked upon more unsuccessful dribbles (105) than any other player in the Bundesliga last season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/FdAxNKr1iC pic.twitter.com/oLOBlckcLH

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) July 29, 2018

After all, Pulisic only scored four times in the Bundesliga in 2017-18, having made 27 starts and five substitute appearances for BVB.

Yet the raw attributes are there in Pulisic's game to work with. While his decision making still needs work, he's a natural on the ball, able to glide past opponents, take possession in tight spaces and burst away from markers with his change of pace.

With that in mind it's not a huge surprise to see some of the Premier League's biggest sides linked with the American, as with the right type of guidance he can go on to become a superstar. The prospect of him working with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp or Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri would be exciting for the player too.

Still, Ronan Murphy of Goal believes another season at Dortmund would be to the benefit of the youngster:

This really would be best for Pulisic’s development at this stage. Moving to Liverpool and being a bench option is not a good idea for someone with his potential. A lot of people talk about “learning under Klopp”, but you learn most from playing regularly. #BVB #LFC https://t.co/RdZuRsqO1P

— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) July 28, 2018

At this juncture this appears the most likely outcome, as Dortmund prepare for a fresh campaign under new manager Lucien Favre.

Having lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and Ousmane Dembele last summer, there is room for an attacking talisman to emerge at Dortmund. Favre will be hopeful that Pulisic can make that jump up to the next level.

Borussia Dortmund have reportedly decided to sell Christian Pulisic this summer amid speculation linking him with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea.

According to MailOnline's Simon Jones, BVB are willing to sell him provided their £65 million price tag is met.

Chelsea and Madrid are said to have already held talks with Dortmund regarding the winger, while Bayern—who planned to pursue him next year as a long-term replacement for Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery—could bring their plans forward.

Pulisic has halted discussions of a new deal with Dortmund, according to German outlet Bild (h/t Sky in Germany, via Goal's Ronan Murphy).

The 19-year-old is already a regular for BVB and the U.S. national team, having made 97 appearances at club level and 21 internationally.

Last season, he scored five goals and assisted seven. He recently showed what he's capable of in a friendly against Liverpool, finding the net twice and playing a key role in another goal (U.S. viewers only):

Here are the second-half highlights, as @BVB won 3-1 in the #ICC2018, brought to you by @Heineken_US #ChampionsMeetHere pic.twitter.com/vwDvWfGOaG

— House of Soccer (@houseofsoccerfc) July 22, 2018

Pulisic typically operates from the right flank, but he has also been used on the left and through the middle during his time in Germany.

Should Liverpool want to sign him, his relationship with manager Jurgen Klopp—who was in charge at BVB before moving to Anfield—could be key. It's clear the teenager has great respect for his former mentor:

“He was very kind to me.”

USMNT star @cpulisic_10 discusses his relationship with former @BVB and current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. 💛#BVB #LFC #USMNT #ICC2018 pic.twitter.com/MSoNWa7YqL

— GOAL (@goal) July 27, 2018

Liverpool writer Joel Rabinowitz believes the Reds should make a move for him:

Seems fairly clear from his own words (and his father) that Pulisic would be more than open to playing for LFC. Clearly has a lot of admiration for Klopp, and Klopp obviously rates him very highly as a player. BVB reportedly looking for £60-70m. I'd pay it.

— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) July 28, 2018

Murphy believes the price tag would make signing Pulisic a significant gamble, though:

Spending over €70m on Pulisic is a huge risk. He had a brilliant first season in Dortmund, helped by Dembele and Tuchel, but didn’t perform as well without them last season. The marketing potential is huge, but will the player ever reach his own potential? #BVB

— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) July 28, 2018

It would be a huge fee to pay for a teenager who has yet to reach the peak of his powers, and Pulisic could be more incisive in the final third—with the money involved, he might be expected to hit double figures for goals and assists next year.

However, potential is perhaps the most valuable commodity in today's transfer market, and Pulisic has that in abundance. If he does leave Dortmund this summer, his new club would have a future star on their hands.

Borussia Dortmund reportedly won't consider selling Christian Pulisic unless they receive an offer in the region of €70 million (£62 million). 

Ronan Murphy of Goal relayed the report from Kicker:

Christian Pulisic will not leave Borussia Dortmund this summer unless a bid of over €70m is received, according to kicker. #BVB

— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) July 26, 2018

Pulisic has established himself as one of football's best prospects in recent years, shining for BVB in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.

According to Simon Jones of MailOnline, there are a number of clubs interested in the United States international, including Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Liverpool have also consistently been linked with the 19-year-old attacker.

Madrid are said to be considering moving for Pulisic following their sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in early July.

The United States international will be seeking to cement his status as a first-team regular at Borussia Dortmund this season under new manager Lucien Favre and has shown encouraging signs in pre-season that he's ready to be one of the key men at Westfalenstadion.

Pulisic netted twice in BVB's recent win over Liverpool and was impressive throughout the clash. As we can see, his efforts for Dortmund and the USMNT have made him something of a hero in his homeland:

When Christian Pulisic saw a child being taken away by security, he stopped them and made sure the boy got a photo with his hero 💛 pic.twitter.com/AajTyRZ1d9

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 23, 2018

The 19-year-old can play on either flank or behind the centre-forward; the technical ability he has, as well as his change of pace and composure in the final third, makes him a threat.

All those attributes add up to a thrilling young footballer and an attacker whom defenders in the Bundesliga have found difficult to halt:

Most successful dribbles in the Bundesliga last season:

🥇 Christian Pulisic -- 77
🥈 Bruma -- 68
🥉 Naby Keita -- 67 pic.twitter.com/VgpaLo8Jrz

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) July 22, 2018

As Copa90 highlighted, it's easy to forget just how young the Dortmund man is given all he's accomplished already in his career:

Christian Pulisic had 2 goals and 1 assist in Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Liverpool but wasn’t allowed to be named Man of the Match as the award is sponsored by Heineken and he is only 19 years old 😂👎 pic.twitter.com/h8SsYSMxJj

— COPA90 (@Copa90) July 23, 2018

Having lost Ousmane Dembele last summer and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window there will be extra onus on Pulisic in attack this season. At this stage of his career, you sense that responsibility is what the American needs as he seeks to push his game on to the next level.

For now, another year at Dortmund under the guidance of a smart coach like Favre seems to be the sensible choice for the youngster. If he continues on an upward trajectory, the German club may have to revise the reported asking price for the player.