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Borussia Dortmund suffered a major blow when Bayern activated Mario Götze’s £32m release clause to take away their homegrown superstar. He leaves a big hole in the team, one which Borussia Dortmund have to fill if they are to return to the Champions League final and win back the Bundesliga title. Dortmund are a club with serious prestige at the moment and they have the resource available to sign a high quality replacement.
Here are the top five options for them to replace Götze with, any of whom would be an excellent signing and all offering something a little different.
Kevin De Bruyne (21), Attacking midfield, Chelsea
Scout Report
De Bruyne has the potential to step in to Marco Reus’ shoes on the left of the Dortmund trident and allow the German to replace Götze centrally. De Bruyne has everything he needs to be a truly world class player. His combination of pace, trickery, confidence and excellent decision making mean that he is a constant and very consistent attacking threat. He’s a very clever player who makes well thought out runs and his quick movement off the ball means he is very difficult to defend.
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Where does he fit at Borussia?
He would come in on the left of the attacking midfield three with Marco Reus moving centrally. They’d lose the more subtle play of Götze but add even more pace and directness to the already frenzied style of counter attacking.
How much?
Chelsea want to keep him but if Dortmund offered £20m they might have a chance. It depends how much of the Götze money is being put forward for spending.
Bernard (20), Attacking midfield, Atletico Mineiro
Scout Report
Bernard has taken the Brazilian league by storm over the last couple of years. He is lighting quick, full of trickery and possessed of sublime footwork and technique. He is starting to put his abundance of skill to productive use in terms of offensive output. An 11 goal, 12 assist season as a 19 year old has gotten all of Brazil excited about his potential. Genuine world class potential if harnessed in the right way.
Where does he fit at Borussia?
He’d be a perfect replacement for Götze. Like the German he is small and possessed of sumptuous technique and full of attacking menace. He would allow Reus to stay out wide.
How much?
Mineiro are thought to want £15m but in two years time that could prove to be a monumental bargain.
Adam Maher (19), Attacking midfield, AZ Alkmaar
Scout Report
Maher is Holland’s elite attacking prospect and is being linked with a lot of serious teams. He has pace and movement in abundance and the usual Dutch technical accomplishment. What sets him apart is his ability to change games with a moment of inspiration. Whether that is in the form of a goal, a driving run or a magical pass. Could supersede Sneijder as the Holland number 10 at the World Cup. Serious serious talent.
Where does he fit at Borussia
As pure a like for like replacement for Götze as they could find. Runs hard, runs fast and plays with real intelligence. All the qualities that Jurgen Klopp admires most and covets most.
How much?
AZ want above £10m for him which is fair and affordable.
Christian Eriksen (21), Attacking midfield, Ajax
Scout Report
Eriksen has a gorgeous range of passing and exemplary vision and intelligence. He floats around the pitch with a grace and fluidity that makes the game look absurdly easy. 10 goals and 17 assists last season show that he is starting to thrive in his goal output. He is matching his array of tricks and lovely passing with production which makes him a very dangerous proposition. Plays with an old head on young shoulders.
Where does he fit at Borussia?
Offers something entirely different to what they have. The power and drive of Reus and B?aszczykowski would be a nice compliment to the floaty ease of Eriksen.
How much?
Ajax will want around £20m for their star but with his contract entering the final year, they might get him for less.
Miralem Pjanic (23), Attacking midfield, Roma
Scout Report
Pjanic more closely resembles other Borussia Dortmund players in his physical capacity. He is a strong mover, able to ride tackles and hold the ball strongly. His passing is precise and incisive and when running with the ball at his feet can create real problems. Perhaps a bit shackled in the more tactical Serie A than in the open Ligue Un where he starred at Lyon. Ideal for the Bundesliga.
Where does he fit at Borussia?
Fits in to the running ethos that has brought so much success but also has the streak of inventiveness and creativity that they need to compliment the drive.
How much?
Roma aren’t under any real pressure to sell other than from Pjanic’s own desire to play in the Champions League which means a price of at least £15m would be about right.
