BVB's big-money flop: Yan Couto set to leave this summer? | OneFootball

After two mixed years, Yan Couto is facing an uncertain future at BVB. This summer, Borussia Dortmund could be heading for a painful transfer loss.

The situation surrounding Yan Couto at Borussia Dortmund is becoming increasingly tense. According to a report by Ruhr Nachrichten, the Brazilian, who was only signed from Manchester City in 2024 for around €25 million, is already facing an uncertain future despite having a long-term contract until 2029.

While the statistics do show some development, Couto has still fallen short of expectations on the sporting side. Coach Niko Kovac stresses: “I’m very satisfied with his development. Yan has had a lot more playing time this season than last year,” but the reality on the pitch tells a different story. For weeks, the 23-year-old has barely played any role at all — most recently, he spent several matches on the bench for the full 90 minutes or was unavailable due to injury.

One key problem is the strong competition in his position. Julian Ryerson has firmly established himself on the right flank and continues to deliver consistently. Kovac makes the pecking order clear: “Julian is performing really well, doing a great job offensively. He has provided the most assists. That makes it painful for Yan, but all the better for me that I have two good guys on the right side.” For Couto, that means very few chances to get playing time.

No breakthrough: Couto still falls short of expectations at BVB

On an individual level, the breakthrough has also failed to come. Defensively, he still looks vulnerable, while offensively he lacks cutting edge. His goal contributions are modest, and his influence on the game remains limited. Despite more minutes compared to the previous season, he is still far below the possible share of playing time — a clear sign that he has not been able to make a lasting case for himself.

Photo: IMAGO

The situation becomes particularly delicate from a financial perspective. Because of a purchase obligation that kicked in early, BVB had to invest around €20 million — a sum that, given his current performances, hardly any other club would likely be willing to pay. If a separation comes this summer, a significant loss would be almost unavoidable.

This leaves Borussia Dortmund facing a difficult decision: do they continue to rely on a player who has so far failed to establish himself — or do they cut their losses early and accept a deal at a loss? One thing is clear: the coming months will be decisive for Yan Couto.

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