Borussia Dortmund has secured their minimum goal of Champions League qualification. Now, the work on the squad for the new season begins. It is rumored that an 18-year-old is also set to play a role in long-term plans.
Ironically, a legend of FC Schalke 04 has now revealed a new transfer target for Borussia Dortmund. Tomasz Hajto played 141 competitive matches for the «Royal Blues» and now, in his role as a TV expert for Polsat Sport in Poland, he apparently has excellent contacts with his compatriot Kacper Potulski.
As the former tough defender revealed, several Bundesliga clubs are interested in the Polish U21 national player, who currently plays for Mainz 05. «According to my contacts, several teams from Germany already have Kacper on their list – like Leverkusen and Dortmund. But clubs from England and Italy are also interested in him,» Hajto told the Allgemeine Zeitung. Back in early March, Turkish transfer journalist Ekrem Konur had already linked Potulski with BVB.
However, the stumbling block in the development of the 18-year-old center-back talent is his recent scarce playing time, which, according to kicker, has also angered his father Bartosz. Since the beginning of March, Potulski has sat on the bench for the full 90 minutes in five out of seven Bundesliga matches, only starting once. Hajto also finds this to be too little.
«I see very great potential in Kacper Potulski. Mainz could demand 30 million Euros for him at some point, but for that, he has to play,» said the now 53-year-old.
Potulski Scores Against FC Bayern and Becomes Increasingly Controversial at Mainz 05
Potulski first made it into the professional squad of the Rhinelanders in November under the now-dismissed coach Bo Henriksen and established himself as a potential regular starter under his successor Urs Fischer, at the latest after a strong performance that included his debut goal against FC Bayern in mid-December.
However, he no longer holds this status – and this has not been without consequences. For the second time within a year, he has changed his agent and is now represented by Sports360. Perhaps to force a move soon? «The boy might soon ask himself why he should stay in Mainz if he plays brilliantly and then not at all. That’s a danger,» Hajto also warned of larger consequences for Mainz: «Kacper has always taken his chances and shown strong games. He came on in Hoffenheim and played excellently. I don’t understand why he’s no longer playing a role since that game.»
Despite the quiet murmurs, Potulski is said to be an essential building block at Mainz. Sporting Director Niko Bungert emphasized this with regard to his contract, which runs until 2028: «The future belongs to Kacper. He has incredible quality and will be on the pitch regularly with us in the future. I am sure of that.»
BVB Transfer Would Come Too Early for Potulski – A Free Transfer Coup with Doekhi?
A move to BVB this summer would likely come significantly too early. Although the «Black and Yellows» will not remain idle in the summer, considering the departure of Niklas Süle, the severe injury of Emre Can, and the still possible departure of defensive leader Nico Schlotterbeck via an exit clause, and will be looking for reinforcements in the central defense. However, it is questionable whether Potulski already possesses the required profile.
Recently, RTL/ntv and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano have unanimously reported on an interest in Danilho Doekhi from Union Berlin. His contract expires in the summer, and the 27-year-old brings both a certain goal threat (7 goals in 34 competitive matches) and Bundesliga experience.