BVB react: new transfer rule for Ricken, Kovac and Book | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund has apparently fundamentally changed its decision-making processes in the transfer market. Especially when it comes to expensive new signings, the Black and Yellows want to present a more united front in the future. To that end, a new internal rule has been introduced under which there must be complete agreement within the sporting leadership for major transfers.

As reported by Ruhr Nachrichten, for costly new arrivals, head coach Niko Kovac, sporting director Ole Book, and managing director for sport Lars Ricken will in future all have to give the green light together. If any one of the three key decision-makers has fundamental doubts about a player, the transfer in question will no longer be pursued.

With this, BVB is moving away from its previous majority-vote principle. In the past, a signing could still go through even if one of the main decision-makers was not fully convinced. Dortmund apparently has not had good experiences with that.

Couto transfer serves as a warning example for BVB

Ruhr Nachrichten cite the case of Yan Couto as an example. The Brazilian right-back was especially a preferred target of then-head coach Nuri Sahin. Former sporting director Sebastian Kehl also gave his approval for the signing.

Ricken, on the other hand, is said to have already been skeptical at the time. Because Sahin and Kehl supported the transfer, the deal went through anyway.

In hindsight, Couto did not develop in Dortmund as hoped. The now 24-year-old failed to establish himself at the Black and Yellows in the long term. After two mixed years, BVB drew the consequences this summer and loaned the Brazilian to Como 1907.

From Dortmund’s point of view, the Couto case apparently shows what problems can arise when not all decision-makers are fully convinced about an expensive signing. The new approach is intended to reduce exactly that risk.

Full approval for El Mala

Photo: IMAGO

The situation is different with current transfer target Said El Mala. BVB continues to work intensively on signing the 19-year-old from 1. FC Köln. A high eight-figure fee would be required for the attacking player.

Despite the enormous financial outlay, there are apparently no fundamental concerns within Dortmund’s leadership. Kovac, Book, and Ricken are all said to be convinced by El Mala and his development potential. That means the Köln player meets the most important requirement for BVB to continue pursuing the transfer with determination.

There is also said to have been full consensus within the sporting leadership on each of the summer signings already completed.

The new rule is likely to represent an additional hurdle, especially for expensive transfers. At the same time, it is meant to prevent the personal convictions of individual decision-makers from being decisive in major investments.

For Dortmund, the change is also relevant because the club continues to rely heavily on developing young players. High transfer fees for talents in particular come with corresponding risks. All the more important, in the eyes of those in charge, is that the coach and sporting leadership share the same assessment.

In El Mala’s case, that unity exists. BVB is therefore remaining persistent despite Köln’s high demands — and would apparently sign the 19-year-old with the full backing of the entire sporting leadership.

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