Dortmund looking for a short-term Haller replacement ahead of a new season

With just three days to the new Bundesliga season, Dortmund will play their first game under Erdin Terzic’s reign as they welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the Signal Iduna.

However, things haven’t been looking good for the striking department at Dortmund as the club’s new marquee signing, Sebastien Haller, was diagnosed with a testicular tumour.

Dortmund CEO Watzke has also revealed his regrets on the sad situation surrounding Haller praising the Ivory Coast international for his goal-scoring abilities and hold-up plays.

Ever since the news broke, the club have been trying to look for alternatives as a short-term solution to cover for the injured forward.

There have been rumours making the rounds that the Black and Yellow side have drawn up a list of some forwards suitable to fill in for Haller. Among possible listed names are Chelsea’s Timo Werner, and Inter Milan’s Edin Dzeko, and the latest name added to that list is Barcelona’s Memphis Depay.

Dortmund is also looking to work with a strict budget after splashing the cash for Haller and the other five signings. These arrivals have seen them churn out a large part of their transfer budget with little left in their pocket.

Although Youssoufa Moukoko has been lauded as the next big thing at Dortmund, unfortunately, he has struggled with injuries which have denied him game time, and he might be rusty in front of goal.

Moukoko isn’t bad either, but Dortmund currently needs a finished product to bang in the goals till Haller returns and probably, who knows, form a further great strike partnership with the Ivorian.

For now and at least for the Leverkusen game, Dortmund will have to make do and rely on the likes of Donyell Malen, Moukoko, Gio Reyna, and Thorgan Hazard, who could also be converted to play in the front role till a short-term fix is ready.

It remains to be seen in the coming days, as the transfer window is still very much active to see that special player in the Dortmund hierarchy will beckon as a rescue plan to spearhead their attack.

Written by: Akinnifesi Olumide