BVB signing yet to play, Dortmund already eye winter exit | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund could make an important decision on Justin Lerma as early as this coming winter. The 18-year-old only joined BVB from Independiente in the summer for around four million euros, but so far he has barely featured in Niko Kovac’s current plans. A temporary separation therefore appears to be back on the table.

Those in charge were well aware that Lerma would need time after his move from Ecuador. However, it became clear during pre-season that he still has ground to make up, especially physically. For Kovac, the youngster is therefore not currently a serious option for regular appearances with the senior team.

Match practice at a lower level could help Lerma’s development. But that is precisely where the problem lies: Dortmund’s young player cannot currently simply be sent to the second team. This leaves BVB without an important way of easing the 18-year-old into German football.

BVB cannot play Lerma in the Regionalliga

According to Ruhr Nachrichten, this is not purely for sporting reasons. Lerma is “currently not allowed to play for the reserve team in the Regionalliga West due to employment law requirements,” the newspaper reports.

This creates a complicated situation for Borussia Dortmund. Lerma is stuck between the first-team squad and the second team, without any realistic prospect of regular minutes at the moment. Yet at his age, longer spells without competitive action are far from ideal for his development.

The step from South America to the Bundesliga already comes with major adjustments. Besides the tactical and technical demands, Lerma in particular must get used to the significantly higher physical intensity. That requires training — but also regular game time.

For now, however, the Ecuadorian has no choice but to be patient. Lerma is currently sidelined with a muscle injury. Only after his return is the question of his sporting future at BVB likely to become concrete again.

Winter loan move back in focus

Photo: IMAGO

Photo: IMAGO

There are already signs that Borussia Dortmund could act in January. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, there are “initial internal considerations” about sending Lerma out on loan in the winter. In doing so, BVB would be revisiting a plan that had already been discussed during the previous transfer window.

A loan was already under consideration back then. In the end, however, Dortmund decided against it, or failed to find a suitable solution for a temporary move. A few months later, the situation looks significantly more difficult.

A loan could therefore make sense for everyone involved. Instead of hoping for limited opportunities in Dortmund, Lerma could gain consistent match practice at another club and physically adapt to European football. From BVB’s point of view, the key would be finding a club that offers the talent a genuine sporting perspective.

Dortmund still think highly of Lerma

Meanwhile, the club’s overall assessment of the player is unlikely to have changed much. By investing around four million euros, Borussia Dortmund made it clear that they see long-term potential in Lerma’s development. From the outset, the transfer was one for the future.

A winter loan would therefore be less a departure from that path and more a possible course correction. BVB must prevent one of their young talents from going months with hardly any competitive match practice.

For now, however, Lerma’s full focus is on his recovery. Once the 18-year-old is fit again, it should become clear whether Kovac can offer him a pathway with the first team. If not, and if appearances for the reserves remain off the table, then a temporary departure in the winter could become the most likely solution.

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