Jonas Rütten

Borussia Dortmund continue to monitor Fisnik Asllani despite having largely completed their attacking recruitment. A move could involve a loan with an obligation to buy because the striker’s €25–29 million release clause has expired and Hoffenheim can now negotiate freely. Dortmund’s need for Asllani would increase if Fabio Silva leaves for Real Betis or Serhou Guirassy receives a major Saudi offer. Hoffenheim currently plan to keep Asllani after his successful spell at Elversberg and strong first Bundesliga season. The article also reports that PAOK Salonika are considering Philippe Coutinho to replace Dortmund-bound Giannis Konstantelias.

Eintracht Frankfurt may overhaul its goalkeeping department after Michael Zetterer reportedly neared a move to Leeds United and Kaua Santos struggled with mistakes and injuries. Noah Atubolu, whose planned move to a Premier League or European heavyweight has failed to materialize, is emerging as Frankfurt’s preferred target. Freiburg have signed Mio Backhaus and could demand at least €15 million for Atubolu, while concrete negotiations have reportedly not yet begun. A return for former Frankfurt goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is also being considered but is not viewed as a serious option.

Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has reportedly ended his relationship with agency Epic Sports after a failed attempt to secure a move to a Premier League heavyweight or another elite club. He now views Eintracht Frankfurt as the most stable alternative, as Frankfurt urgently seeks a new first-choice goalkeeper after a 7–0 defeat to Brentford. Freiburg are demanding at least €15 million, but no concrete negotiations have begun, and Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche is considering other options, including Lukas Hradecky and a foreign goalkeeper. Atubolu is also reassessing potential interest from Napoli, Marseille and Bournemouth while continuing to train with Freiburg.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly considering a €30 million move for 21-year-old Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel, who plays for Al Nassr and previously belonged to Chelsea. The transfer appears unlikely because of the fee, Dortmund’s well-stocked attacking options and the club’s current recruitment strategy, although Niko Kovač may use Maximilian Beier in a wing-back role. Dortmund have also signed 17-year-old Amine Lettifi from French eighth-tier club US Lesquin and plan to give Luxembourg youth international Enzo Duarte a long-term professional contract after his impressive pre-season. The article also lists Dortmund’s upcoming Supercup, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal fixtures.

Elye Wahi is reportedly determined to join OGC Nice permanently after recovering his form during a loan spell, but Nice prefers another loan with an option to buy. Eintracht Frankfurt wants to sell the striker outright and may miss out on approximately €20 million after Wahi rejected lucrative offers from Premier League and Serie A clubs. Frankfurt paid €26 million for Wahi, who scored only once in 25 appearances for the club, while concerns over a match-fixing investigation may have reduced interest in him; those suspicions are reportedly now cleared up.

Elye Wahi reportedly rejected lucrative offers from Premier League and Serie A clubs worth around €20 million to Eintracht Frankfurt, which wants to sell him permanently after paying €26 million for him in 2025. His Frankfurt spell produced only one goal in 25 competitive appearances, but he revived his form during a loan at OGC Nice, scoring seven goals and assisting twice in 18 matches. Nice prefers another loan with an option to buy, while Wahi reportedly wants a permanent move there. A match-fixing-related arrest shortly before the 2026 World Cup had raised concerns among potential buyers, although the suspicions are now reportedly cleared. Wahi has also criticized his limited opportunities and difficult adaptation in Germany.

Real Betis have reportedly identified Fabio Silva as their number one transfer target and are seeking a loan with a potential purchase obligation. Borussia Dortmund would reportedly consider his departure only for around €22.5 million, matching the fee paid to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Silva's first season was disrupted by injury and limited mostly to substitute appearances, producing three goals and seven assists, although his defensive work and commitment were praised. Despite reported interest from Real Sociedad, Silva is said to want to compete for a place at Dortmund, whose attacking reinforcements have reduced his starting prospects. If he leaves, Dortmund may pursue Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi, particularly because Serhou Guirassy's future could also be affected by interest from Saudi Arabia.

Karim Adeyemi scored his first goal for Barcelona and assisted Hamza Abdelkarim in a 5-2 friendly victory over Basel, earning strong praise from Spanish outlets Marca and Sport. His pace, versatility and overall performance were viewed as evidence that he can compete for a starting place under Hansi Flick. Adeyemi joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €22 million, with bonuses potentially increasing the fee to €29 million and Dortmund retaining a 35% sell-on clause. The performance marked a significant improvement after Flick criticized his display in an earlier friendly, although he still faces strong competition from Barcelona's attacking players.

Karim Adeyemi scored and assisted in Barcelona’s 5-2 friendly victory over Basel, earning strong praise from Spanish media, which called him the star of the evening and highlighted his pace, versatility and finishing. The performance marked a positive response to Hansi Flick’s earlier criticism after Adeyemi’s subdued debut. Signed from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €22 million, potentially rising to €29 million, Adeyemi is seeking a fresh start at Barcelona but faces intense competition from players including Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly close to signing PAOK attacking midfielder Giannis Konstantelias, but reports differ over whether PAOK has requested Samuele Inacio on loan as part of the deal. Dortmund are highly impressed with the 18-year-old Italy international after his strong end to last season, Bundesliga starts and first professional goal, and recently extended his contract through 2029. A move for Inacio therefore appears unlikely. Instead, 17-year-old Dortmund academy midfielder Christos Kostoglou is reportedly in advanced talks with PAOK, with Dortmund potentially waiving a transfer fee as a gesture connected to Konstantelias’s arrival.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly close to signing PAOK attacker Giannis Konstantelias for €30 million including bonuses after negotiations for Said El Mala from 1. FC Cologne failed. Konstantelias is expected to undergo his medical and sign a four-year contract, although PAOK’s largest ultra group opposes the move after previously blocking a transfer to VfB Stuttgart. Dortmund also reportedly triggered Joey Veerman’s release clause at PSV Eindhoven for €22–25 million, indicating that the club’s transfer planning may include multiple additions.

Fortuna Düsseldorf’s ambitious rebuilding project has begun disastrously after defeats to Waldhof Mannheim and TSG Hoffenheim II following relegation to the 3. Liga. Coach Alexander Ende is facing criticism for questionable lineups and tactical decisions, while Bild reports that a supposed Friedhelm Funkel faction within the club is working against him. Sporting director Samir Arabi reportedly remains supportive of Ende, but leaked dressing-room matters, rumors of an imminent dismissal and hostile fan reactions have created a poisonous atmosphere around the newly assembled squad.

Bayern Munich is seeking to move on Sacha Boey, João Palhinha and Bryan Zaragoza during the summer transfer window. Palhinha has reportedly agreed personal terms with Aston Villa, which is continuing negotiations over a permanent transfer valued at around €25 million after Bayern rejected an initial loan proposal. Zaragoza rejected a lucrative offer from outside Europe and prefers a move to Spain, but his long-term knee inflammation complicates a sale. Boey has attracted interest from Galatasaray, though the Turkish club currently wants to preserve its foreign-player slots. Bayern could leave both Zaragoza and Boey out of its squad if they remain in Munich.

Borussia Dortmund has reportedly replaced its previous majority-based transfer decisions with a requirement for unanimous approval from coach Niko Kovač, sporting director Ole Book and sporting managing director Lars Ricken. The rule is being applied to potential signing Said El Mala and was also used for Konstantinos Karetsas and Joane Gadou. The change was prompted partly by the costly Yan Couto deal, which was pushed through in 2024 despite internal reservations and resulted in a €25 million purchase obligation, a €5 million loan fee and disappointing performances. Couto has since joined Como on loan, with a reported €20 million purchase option, while Dortmund seeks to limit its financial loss.

Borussia Dortmund’s pursuit of 1. FC Cologne winger Said El Mala is reportedly close to collapsing after Cologne rejected a fourth offer worth more than €45 million including bonuses. Cologne now wants a package of at least €50 million, with an offer well above that amount potentially required to reopen negotiations. Dortmund is nevertheless preparing a fifth bid, while El Mala reportedly wants the move but would not be overly concerned if it fails. If talks end, Dortmund could pursue Paris Saint-Germain prospect Ibrahim Mbaye, although he may cost even more.

Real Madrid are reportedly close to agreeing a €130–140 million deal with RB Leipzig for 19-year-old Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, which would make him the second-most expensive Bundesliga transfer after Ousmane Dembélé. A verbal agreement is said to exist, but Madrid’s board still needs to approve the move. The transfer was delayed by negotiations and an advisers’ dispute involving Maxidel Management and Roc Nation, which could prompt a FIFA investigation. Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich had also been interested in Diomande, who scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 matches for Leipzig last season.

Real Madrid are reportedly nearing an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign 19-year-old Ivorian winger Yan Diomande for €130 million to €140 million, potentially making him the second-most expensive Bundesliga transfer after Ousmane Dembélé. A verbal agreement is reportedly in place, but Madrid’s board still needs to approve the move. Diomande’s transfer has been delayed by protracted negotiations and a dispute between former agency Maxidel Management and current advisers Roc Nation over transfer rights, which could prompt a FIFA investigation. Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich had also shown interest.

Real Madrid are reportedly holding fresh talks with RB Leipzig over a potential €120 million-plus-bonuses deal for Ivorian winger Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old emerged as a Bundesliga star after recording 13 goals and 10 assists in his first season following a €20 million move from Leganes. Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also shown interest, but Real Madrid are now considered favourites. The transfer is complicated by a dispute between Diomande’s former and current advisers over his transfer rights, which could prompt a FIFA investigation if the deal proceeds. Leipzig managing director Marcel Schäfer said no agreement has yet been reached, despite earlier claims by Fabrizio Romano that the move was already done.

Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah strongly criticizes parts of the professional football agent industry, arguing that some agents make deals behind players’ backs, take excessive fees and keep immature players dependent on them. He says roughly 70% of dubious agents trigger his concerns, while stressing that not all agents behave improperly. Tah praises his current representatives, Pini Zahavi and Maxi Bielefeld, for treating football business directly and professionally, and calls for agents to be honest, decent and supportive of players’ personal development.

Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah criticized player agents who negotiate deals behind footballers’ backs, take excessive fees and encourage players to remain dependent on advisers and other so-called yes-men. He said agents can hinder players’ personal development and claimed that around 70% of dubious agents trigger his concerns, while stressing that not all agents behave badly. Tah praised his current representatives, Pini Zahavi and Maxi Bielefeld, for treating negotiations as straightforward business and argued that agents should be honest, decent and transparent even while earning substantial money.