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Kicker and Westphalia’s Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper report that Borussia Dortmund sporting director Nils Ole Book will reportedly remain in Germany when the club depart for their pre-season marketing tour of Japan on Monday.
As noted in a recent Get German Football News article, BVB have thus far failed to complete deals for either Konstantinos Karetsas or Said El Mala. Book recently acknowledged that Dortmund would have preferred to sign an attacker by now, but emphasized that the club would not allow frustration to dictate its transfer decisions.
Book remains behind as Dortmund pursue Karetsas
The more immediate negotiations concern Karetsas. Dortmund have identified the 18-year-old Greek international as a potential replacement for departed professionals Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi.
An initial round of direct talks with KRC Genk failed to produce an agreement. Kicker nevertheless reports that another Dortmund approach is expected shortly. Any successful deal will likely cost BVB more than €30m.
Book’s decision to skip the Japan trip therefore suggests that Dortmund hope to make progress while the squad are away.
Dortmund prepared to wait for El Mala
The situation surrounding El Mala appears less urgent. Dortmund submitted an offer containing a guaranteed fee exceeding €30m last week, but the total package remained below Köln’s €50m valuation.
Köln immediately rejected the bid. Dortmund nevertheless believe that the 19-year-old currently favors a move to BVB and see no need to improve their offer immediately.
Head coach Niko Kovač remains publicly relaxed about the situation. Book’s absence from the Asia tour nevertheless underlines that Dortmund’s summer business remains unfinished.
The sporting director may be staying home precisely because the club’s two most important attacking negotiations require his full attention.
