Borussia Dortmund are Closing in on Serhou Guirassy

The first signing of the summer looks imminent!

Borussia Dortmund have had a busy start to the transfer window after saying goodbye to Head Coach Edin Terzic and deciding against the renewal of Mats Hummel’s contract. Now, the club is closing in on their first summer signing: Serhou Guirassy.

The 28-year-old scored 28 goals in the Bundesliga for 2nd place Stuttgart last season as Die Schwaben exceeding all expectations. Guirassy’s stats are among the league’s best as he finds himself 2nd in goals, 3rd in goal involvements, 3rd in expected goals, and tied for 2nd in penalties won. The Guinean international outperformed his 20.8 expected goals and solidified himself as amongst the league’s best goal scorers in his second Bundesliga season after a spell in France. Guirassy scored 11 goals for Stuttgart the season prior and 19 goals in 31 games across three years for Rennes in Ligue 1.

The economics of Guirassy’s deal are somewhat complex. His contract contains a €17.5m release clause, according to Fabrizo Romano, and Dortmund will utilize the clause to sign the player. The problem comes from the player’s 8 million euro wage request and opulent signing fee. Guirassy’s demands for a 4 year contract would see him remain until he is 32 and a total economic package package between 50 to 60 million euros.

Borussia Dortmund face a difficult summer. They desperately need reinforcements across midfield, center-back, and in the wide areas. The loans of Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen are concluded and the club needs to find ways to retain or replace either player. Niclas Füllkrug was far from the league’s best striker but was serviceable while Borussia Dortmund’s bench featured both an often injured Sebastian Haller and a Yousoufa Moukoko who struggled for minutes. Despite these facts, Borussia Dortmund’s first signing of the season looks almost guaranteed.