Borussia Dortmund is reportedly eyeing a significant defensive transfer coup. Meanwhile, Niko Kovac is urging his players for more effort, and the U19 team has missed out on the championship finals. Here’s the latest news and rumors surrounding BVB.
BVB Rumor: Dortmund Pursues Union Berlin’s Danilho Doekhi?
Borussia Dortmund is actively searching for a new center-back for the upcoming season and appears to have set its sights on Danilho Doekhi from Bundesliga rival Union Berlin.
According to reports from RTL/ntv and sport.de, BVB officials have already spoken with the 27-year-old Dutch defender. With his contract expiring, Doekhi could be available on a free transfer, and the club is reportedly keen on signing him.
Doekhi has not yet made a decision, though staying in the capital is ruled out. He has attracted the attention of several top clubs with his impressive seven goals in 34 competitive matches this season, including a brace against Bayern Munich in the first half of the season in a 2-2 draw.
At Dortmund, Doekhi could potentially replace Niklas Süle, whose contract was not extended and who will be leaving the club on a free transfer this summer after four years.
BVB News: Kovac Demands More from His Players Ahead of Freiburg Match
With the league title decided and BVB coming off two consecutive Bundesliga defeats, coach Niko Kovac is determined to prevent complacency and is appealing to his team for a stronger performance in the upcoming match against SC Freiburg.
«We must play the last games like the majority of the season. That’s the last impression that remains,» explained the coach, emphasizing their «obligation to the club and the fans. We want to get points again and finish a good Bundesliga season well.»
Kovac dismisses the idea that players might not give their all due to the upcoming World Cup or the risk of injury. «We have to push ourselves,» he demanded. «We can’t just play 45 minutes of football; we have to perform for 90 minutes. Otherwise, you always lose one half and are under pressure.»
«If you take half a step less in every situation, it adds up to a lot in one half. That must not happen to us,» Kovac continued. «If we go to our limit and give 100 percent, then we can be strong. But if we think it’s possible with 95 percent, then it becomes difficult in the Bundesliga, regardless of the opponent.»
BVB News: U19 Misses Out on German Championship Finals
Borussia Dortmund’s U19 team won their final group match in the DFB Youth League 3-1 against 1. FC Heidenheim. However, for the first time in eleven years, they have failed to reach the finals for the German Championship. Simultaneously, FC Augsburg defeated Holstein Kiel 3-0, while Schalke secured fourth place despite a 4-5 loss against VfL Wolfsburg, thanks to a better goal difference (+2 compared to BVB’s -1).
As a result, Wolfsburg (24 points), Heidenheim (15), Augsburg (15), and Schalke (14) qualified for the finals from the main round group B.
BVB Fixtures: Borussia Dortmund’s Next Games
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| April 26, 5:30 PM | BVB vs. Freiburg |
| May 3, 5:30 PM | Mönchengladbach vs. BVB |
| May 8, 8:30 PM | BVB vs. Frankfurt |