Are BVB's new stars a hit? Matthäus gives clear transfer verdict | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund invested heavily in new players this summer. Lothar Matthäus praises BVB’s transfers and believes the club is well prepared for the new season.

Lothar Matthäus believes Borussia Dortmund can once again be FC Bayern’s main challenger in the 2026/27 season. Changes to the squad could prove decisive. The German record international is particularly impressed by three of Dortmund’s new signings.

BVB invested around €80 million in Konstantinos Karetsas, Giannis Konstantelias, and Joey Veerman alone. While Karetsas joined Dortmund from KRC Genk, Konstantelias was signed from PAOK. Veerman previously played for PSV Eindhoven. In Matthäus’ view, those in charge have drawn the right conclusions despite several departures. “BVB have lost important players, but they have strengthened well,” the expert writes in his Sky column.

Matthäus has particularly high expectations for Karetsas and Konstantelias. The two Greek internationals cost almost €60 million combined and are expected to give Dortmund additional options. Matthäus describes the duo as “young, fresh players who have already gained a fair amount of experience.”

BVB and FC Bayern: Matthäus makes a clear prediction

Matthäus recently saw for himself just how high expectations are in their home country. “I was on holiday in Greece, and both are on everyone’s lips there,” Matthäus reports. Konstantelias’ departure in particular was a major talking point among PAOK supporters.

Photo: IMAGO

Matthäus also expects Veerman to play an important role. The 27-year-old Dutchman brings significantly more experience and is expected to provide stability in Dortmund’s midfield. In the former World Player of the Year’s view, Veerman belongs alongside Felix Nmecha. “The Dutchman is an experienced player who has already been through highs and lows,” Matthäus explains. Even so, he does not expect much to change in the balance of power at the top of the Bundesliga.

Matthäus still sees Bayern clearly ahead of the competition and predicts they will win the title by at least ten points. He therefore sets Dortmund a different realistic target: “BVB have the quality to consolidate second place.” The 2-1 defeat to Munich in the Super Cup does not change that for Matthäus. Although Dortmund improved after the break, the first competitive match ultimately confirmed for him the still-existing hierarchy between the champions and what is likely their fiercest challenger.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.