Bayern star linked with BVB move, Ricken fuels speculation | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is once again fueling transfer rumors surrounding Bayern star Leon Goretzka. A statement from sporting director Lars Ricken is raising eyebrows—and leaving room for speculation.

A possible transfer scenario is once again the talk of the town: Could Leon Goretzka wear the Borussia Dortmund jersey in the future? Speculation about the Bayern pro is picking up speed again—and BVB sporting director Lars Ricken has in an interview with BILD sparked new interpretations.

When asked whether Goretzka would be the next player Dortmund signs from FC Bayern, Ricken responded with an answer that hovered between rejection and openness. “Back in the day, I wanted to bring him to BVB in the youth division. I think shortly after that, the professional division also made another attempt,” explained the 48-year-old, adding with a smile: “I just said how well we’re set up in midfield. So for now, I’d say: Consistent nonsense!”

The choice of words is clear—and yet there’s still room for interpretation. While Ricken emphasized that Dortmund currently sees no need in central midfield, when pointed out that his statement sounded as if a transfer was “not ruled out,” he did not respond with a clear denial.

BVB hot for Bayern star Goretzka? Ricken raises eyebrows

At FC Bayern, Goretzka’s future is uncertain anyway. The 30-year-old’s contract runs only until summer 2026, and an extension under the current terms—around 17 million euros annually—is considered out of the question. Although the midfielder has fought his way back into the starting eleven under coach Vincent Kompany, he still ranks behind Joshua Kimmich in the internal pecking order and must compete with young talents Aleksandar Pavlović and Tom Bischof.

A winter transfer is considered unlikely due to Bayern’s thinly staffed squad. Nevertheless, the situation could become interesting again in summer 2026—when Leon Goretzka would be available on a free transfer.

The connection between Bayern and Dortmund has made headlines many times in the past: Players like Mats Hummels, Mario Götze, Sebastian Rode, Niklas Süle, or Marcel Sabitzer have already switched sides. And even though Ricken called the current rumors “consistent nonsense,” he has at least left the door slightly open for a possible transfer.

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