BVB transfer plans: Ricken shares updates on Adeyemi and Schlotterbeck | OneFootball

After several confirmed departures, Borussia Dortmund continues to work on the squad for the upcoming season. BVB sporting director Lars Ricken discusses transfer plans as well as the future of Karim Adeyemi and Nico Schlotterbeck.

At Borussia Dortmund, preparations for the upcoming season are in full swing. Some personnel decisions have already been made, but according to sporting director Lars Ricken, the squad is still undergoing changes. It is already certain: Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan will leave the club at the end of the season. Their expiring contracts will not be renewed. At the same time, BVB is working to assemble the team for the 2026/2027 season as early as possible.

“It surely won’t surprise you if I tell you now that our squad planning for the upcoming season is not yet complete in mid-March,” Ricken explained to Ruhr Nachrichten. The planning remains dynamic, also because the club wants to put the squad together as early as possible. “With the upcoming World Cup in the summer, it certainly won’t be easy, but we are working on it.”

While some departures are already confirmed, Dortmund has already signed two young talents. Kauã Prates is transferring from EC Cruzeiro in Brazil to the Ruhr area, and Justin Lerma is coming from Independiente in Ecuador. Both are considered long-term prospects.

BVB Hopes for Contract Extension with Nico Schlotterbeck

According to Ricken, the club is fundamentally pursuing a clear strategy for the future. “We need a solid core of players who lead with quality, experience, and leadership,” said the 49-year-old. Young talents should be able to develop within this framework.

Photo: IMAGO

The future of several key players, however, remains open. Center-back Nico Schlotterbeck, whose contract runs until 2027, is especially in focus. Dortmund would like to extend his contract, but an agreement has not yet been reached. “We are still in good, confidential talks with Nico,” Ricken explained, emphasizing: “That shows the mutual appreciation.”

There is also ongoing speculation about a possible transfer of Karim Adeyemi. However, there is no pressure to sell, the BVB boss made clear. “Just as the unfortunately too-early Champions League exit and the extension with Felix do not mean we have to sell players.” One thing is clear: the personnel shake-up in Dortmund is not yet complete.

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