No future in Dortmund: BVB want to sell former top talent | OneFootball

After several years at BVB, a once highly touted midfield talent now apparently looks set to leave Dortmund. The 20-year-old is said to have no future in the senior squad under Niko Kovac.

Kjell Wätjen now appears to be heading for an exit from Borussia Dortmund. According to information from kicker, BVB no longer plans to include the central midfielder in its future plans. Under head coach Niko Kovac, the 20-year-old is not expected to have a place in the senior squad, which is why the club’s decision-makers are aiming for a sale this summer.

Wätjen was once regarded as one of the biggest talents in Dortmund’s youth setup. Born in Dortmund, he progressed through every DFB junior national team from U16 to U20 and made his professional debut for the Black and Yellows in spring 2024. He then received plenty of praise from within the club. BVB legend Marco Reus described him as a “brilliant player,” while then sporting director Sebastian Kehl even said: “You really couldn’t ask for a better debut.”

Despite the high expectations, however, Wätjen failed to make his breakthrough with the senior team. In total, he made just four appearances for the first team. In order to gain regular playing time, the midfielder was loaned to VfL Bochum in the summer of 2025. There, he featured in 26 league matches and made 29 appearances across all competitions, but he was unable to secure a regular starting spot.

BVB planning sale: Wätjen on the verge of departure

For various reasons, the loan spell did not go as hoped. Wätjen played only a minor role, particularly in 2026, and was named in the starting lineup just twice under coach Uwe Rösler.

Photo: IMAGO

Although the midfielder is now returning to Dortmund following the end of his loan, his future is unlikely to lie at BVB. As things stand, the club’s decision-makers see no pathway for him into the first team. At the same time, Wätjen is reportedly unwilling to play again for the club’s U23 side in the Regionalliga and instead wants to continue his career at professional level.

That makes a summer move look increasingly likely. Although his contract with Borussia Dortmund still runs until 2028, a parting of ways appears to be the most probable solution. Where Wätjen will continue his career remains unclear at this stage. The midfielder is also not the only talent who could leave the club. According to the Hamburger Morgenpost, Borussia Dortmund is also considering, among other things, selling left-back Almugera Kabar.

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