Couto replacement: these players could catch BVB's eye | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund are set to let Yan Couto move to Italy. The right-back is joining Como on loan with an option to buy, where he will try to get his career back on track.

However, the Black and Yellows still need to replace Couto. And based on everything known so far, that makes an external transfer necessary. But since Dortmund are focusing on strengthening their attack, they will have to be a bit creative here.

The rumors about Eintracht Frankfurt’s Elias Baum also showed that BVB are not shopping at the very top end of the market. However, he will not be moving to Dortmund. So what alternatives do the club officials around Ole Book actually have? There are currently no really concrete rumors, so we have put together three options!

Raoul Bellanova (26, Atalanta BC)

The Italian is a player who can operate both as a right-back and on the right side of midfield. That makes him tailor-made for a role directly in front of a back three. Atalanta are also a club that has to keep an eye on financial balance, which is why a summer sale could certainly be an option. And that is despite his contract running until 2029.

Photo: IMAGO

Bellanova is an absolutely rock-solid player who can provide an attacking threat, and in nearly 150 Serie A appearances he has already recorded 22 assists. He is technically sound, delivers good crosses, and has a strong understanding of the game. Players like him are the prototype of the modern wing-back, which is why he would make perfect sense as a very high-quality backup to Julian Ryerson.

Timothy Castagne (30, Fulham FC)

Why shouldn’t BVB look at an experienced player for a backup role? That is a fair question. Castagne is a reliable player who brings exactly that experience. BVB have so many young players in the squad that it makes sense to also have the exact opposite profile in the team. Castagne can bring calm and order, and he would surely not be above spending some time on the bench either.

He can give Ryerson a rest and, if needed, even help out in a back three. The only sticking point could be his salary, as he earns a hefty amount in England.

Hector Fort (20, FC Barcelona)

The young Spaniard would be the complete opposite of Castagne. He is talented, but not yet fully developed. The advantage is that Dortmund could shape him the way they need. And: he could even be available on loan. That would allow BVB to save time. Couto would be loaned out for a year, Fort brought in on loan for a year, and then in the summer of 2027 they could reassess the situation with the benefit of new insights.

The only point to keep in mind here: Fort also needs playing time, so a pure emergency backup role would certainly not be ideal.

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