Borussia Dortmund have become accustomed to losing some of their biggest stars over the years and the Bundesliga giants would have been anticipating and preparing for the departure of Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian phenomenon has signed for Premier League champions Manchester City and Die Schwarzgelben (The Black and Yellows) have already set about replacing the former RB Salzburg starlet.
The Ivory Coast international, who struggled in the Premier League during his time with West Ham, scored 34 goals for the Eredivisie champions last season, 11 of which came in the Champions League.
During his two years playing under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in Amsterdam, the 27-year-old scored 47 goals and laid on 16 assists from 66 matches.
Haller looks set to have the unenviable task of filling the goalscoring void that Haaland left behind at Dortmund. It’s highly unlikely that Haller will be able to match the 21-year-old’s staggering goalscoring return which brought 86 goals from 89 games.
But the goalscoring burden isn’t going to fall solely on Haller’s shoulders, Dortmund have already moved swiftly and smartly in the summer transfer window, but with Haller closing in on a move to Germany, TBR takes a look at Borussia Dortmund’s potential 2022-23 XI.
Dortmund’s potential 2022-23 XI
Switzerland international Gregor Kobel made 39 appearances in his first season at Dortmund following his move from Stuttgart last summer.
The 24-year-old will likely continue as the club’s number one stopper with Edin Terzic set to embark on his second spell in charge of the club following the departure of Marco Rose.
Belgium international Thomas Meunier will likely occupy the right-back position with German centre-back duo Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule joining the club on free transfers.
Germany and Hoffenheim left-back David Raum, who supplied 13 assists in Bundesliga last season, has been linked with a summer move to Dortmund, according to Sky Germany.
Raum, who is also attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham, would likely start ahead of compatriot Nico Schulz who Dortmund signed from Hoffenheim three years ago.
After impressing for FC Koln, Dortmund have already signed Turkish midfielder Salih Ozcan who could slot straight into midfield and replace outgoing Alex Witsel, who is set to depart as a free agent with his contract expiring at the end of this month.
Young American Giovanni Reyna, who struggled with injuries last season, will be hoping to kick on and fulfil his burgeoning potential alongside young England wonderkid Jude Bellingham.
With Dortmund’s policy of only allowing one of their key players to leave in a summer transfer window, Liverpool have reportedly already identified Bellingham as their transfer target for the 2023 summer window, according to The Sun.
However, following Haaland’s departure, Bellingham could become the main man for the Black and Yellow’s and add further value to his forever growing asking price.
Big names come and go at Dortmund, but one man who remains is club captain Marco Reus. The 33-year-old has been at Signal Iduna Park for a decade following his move from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The 48-cap German international has 153 goals and 114 caps from 356 games for Dortmund and the talented forward will be hoping to spearhead his side’s domestic and European charge.
With Haller set to put pen-to-paper this week, the former Hammers striker is likely to play up front with German wonderkid Karim Adeyemi who like Haaland will join Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg.
Losing Haaland is a big blow, but Dortmund have moved swiftly to replace the Norwegian with two talented forwards who have already shown their goalscoring prowess across the continent.