From the black-and-gold corridors of Signal Iduna Park to the hearts of their fanbase, Borussia Dortmund are always in the spotlight — and that includes speculation about who should leave. In this article, DiorDribble will take you inside the club’s squad dynamics, financial realities, and tactical needs to ask: who should Borussia Dortmund sell in the upcoming windows, and which departures make sense (or don’t) if the club wants to rebuild smartly.
The Stakes Behind Player Sales
Before naming names, one must understand the forces pushing Borussia Dortmund toward selling players. A few realities shape these decisions:
- Financial balance & revenue generation. Dortmund has long relied on trading profits (selling developed stars) to fund acquisitions and stay competitive.
- Squad renewal and age curves. Some veteran players may soon plateau; freshness and youth must be injected.
- Tactical rebalancing under new leadership. With Niko Kovac now at the helm, existing roles might need reshaping.
- Risk management. Keeping too many fringe players can bloat wages and stifle harmony.
Thus, deciding who should Borussia Dortmund sell is not just about offloading unwanted parts — it’s about sculpting a squad that thrives now without sacrificing future potential.
Current Context: Transfers & Departures
To assess who is viable for departure, we must look at current moves and rumors.
- Recent transfers show that Giovanni Reyna has already left Dortmund heading to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
- Dortmund are actively reshaping their squad: they reportedly plan to offload up to eight players this summer to fund a squad overhaul.
- Media outlets suggest names such as Karim Adeyemi, Jamie Gittens, and Gregor Kobel are under scrutiny if Dortmund fail to maintain Champions League status.
- Others like Donyell Malen, Salih Özcan, and Emre Can are mentioned in internal discussion as possible moves.
These trends reveal that the club is open to difficult decisions — but that doesn’t make every rumored exit wise.
Criteria: What Makes a Good Sale Candidate?
Before we list names, here are the criteria we use to judge whether a player should be sold:
- Diminishing returns or stagnation. If performance is declining or plateaued.
- High market value + interest. A player whose sale brings significant funds and has suitors.
- Squad redundancy. Multiple players in the same role limit minutes and development.
- Age vs. future potential. Older players with limited remaining peak years.
- Tactical mismatch. A player who doesn’t suit the manager’s style or scheme.
With that in mind, let’s explore candidates.
Strong Candidates for Departure
1. Jamie Gittens
As of mid-2025, Chelsea finalized a deal to sign young winger Jamie Gittens. He’s shown potential, but an incoming bid of £55 million signals that the club is ready to cash in on him. On one hand, his youth makes him a long-term asset — on the other, the price is hard to ignore.
2. Karim Adeyemi
A lightning winger/forward, Adeyemi has attracted interest, he could be a logical sale for €50–60 million. His age and talent make demand high, even if losing him would hurt the attack.
3. Gregor Kobel
His sale is more controversial. As a goalkeeper, if he voices a desire to depart or if clubs bid strongly, Dortmund might entertain offers. But keep in mind: goalkeepers are harder to replace, and selling Kobel could destabilize defensive structure.
4. Salih Özcan
The midfield backbone has underwhelmed at times. Given his age and the fact that the club might aim for a faster, more dynamic midfield, letting Özcan go to a suitor may be reasonable — especially if it frees up salary and roster space.
5. Donyell Malen
He has been mentioned in reports of those Dortmund would “be willing to let leave.” His contribution has been uneven; if a robust offer arrives, the club may consider allowing him to move.
6. Emre Can
Once a defensive pillar, Can is aging and has had injuries. If he no longer offers full value on the pitch, shedding his wages could make sense, especially to allow room for younger talent.
Cases for Retaining
Not every speculation is wise. Here are players often rumored to leave but probably better kept:
- Serhou Guirassy – His scoring has been outstanding, including reaching 10+ Champions League goals. Selling him would create a serious problem up front.
- Nico Schlotterbeck – Key in defense and still young. Offloading him would weaken Dortmund’s backline dramatically.
- Fabio Silva / Maximilian Beier – Young forwards with potential; better to keep them and develop than prematurely cash in.
- Julian Brandt / Felix Nmecha – Midfield creativity is hard currency; unless big offers come that justify the loss, keeping core creators is tempting.
Strategic Scenarios: When & Why to Sell
The decision to sell depends on several conditional scenarios:
- Missing Champions League – If Dortmund fail to qualify, budget pressure intensifies, making sales almost mandatory.
- Big offers from top clubs – If a club offers a premium price, even for an essential player, Dortmund must weigh short-term pain vs long-term gain.
- Squad re-balance needed – If Kovac’s system demands a shift, players misaligned to that system become candidates.
- Contract status & wage load – Players nearing contract expiration or with expensive wages are more logical to let go.
In those scenarios, the candidates listed above make sense. In “normal” seasons, sacrificing core pieces is riskier.
Summary Table
| Player | Position / Role | Why Sell | Why Retain |
| Jamie Gittens | Winger / attacker | Big offer, youth value | Losing winger depth |
| Karim Adeyemi | Forward / winger | Prime age, high demand | Attack impact |
| Gregor Kobel | Goalkeeper | Potential high fee | Defensive stability |
| Salih Özcan | Midfielder | Wage & tactical mismatch | Experience in midfield |
| Donyell Malen | Forward / winger | Inconsistent returns | Depth in attack |
| Emre Can | Midfielder / defensive | Age, diminishing returns | Leadership & experience |
| Serhou Guirassy | Striker | Rare case of sale | Goal-scoring machine |
| Nico Schlotterbeck | Defender | Could command fee | Defensive cornerstone |
Final Thoughts
Who should Borussia Dortmund sell? The answer depends on circumstance — but the most logical candidates in 2025 are Jamie Gittens, Karim Adeyemi, Salih Özcan, and Donyell Malen. These players fit the mix of market value, squad redundancy, and manageable risk. Meanwhile, selling Serhou Guirassy or Nico Schlotterbeck would be far more destabilizing and should only be considered under extraordinary offers or pressures.
In conclusion, who should Borussia Dortmund sell is a question of balance — between financial necessity and sporting vision. Let DiorDribble accompany you as these transfer sagas unfold. If you want deep dives on any of these players, rumored bids, or tactical rebuild plans, just say the word.
