Borussia Dortmund defensive overhaul imminent as Süle retires and multiple exits loom
Borussia Dortmund defensive overhaul: club faces summer reshuffle after Niklas Süle retirement, free transfers and injury setbacks that leave centre-back depth in question.
Borussia Dortmund face a summer of major change as the club prepares for a potential defensive overhaul that could reshape the back line. The headlines arriving with the close of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season include the retirement of Niklas Süle, confirmed exits on free transfers and a key captain sidelined by injury, all of which put pressure on squad depth. Sporting director Ole Book has signalled a cautious approach to resource management even as Dortmund move quickly to recruit and develop replacements. The combination of confirmed departures, injury uncertainty and reported release clauses means the club must balance internal promotion with selective market activity.
Key departures and injury blow
Several established names are set to leave or are unavailable for selection, forcing Dortmund to consider immediate and medium-term solutions. Julian Brandt and Salih Özcan are expected to depart on free transfers, removing experienced options from the squad, and Niklas Süle has announced his retirement from professional football.
Club captain Emre Can remains sidelined with an injury that keeps him out of action for the near future, while the possibility that Nico Schlotterbeck could activate a reported release clause introduces further uncertainty. Ramy Bensebaini and Waldemar Anton have both attracted external interest; Bensebaini is approaching 30 and Anton has been linked to moves abroad, which would compound the club’s need for reinforcements.
Despite these gaps, Dortmund have already completed at least one defensive signing and are weighing how many departures to accept this summer. The club’s structure and recruitment plan will determine whether replacements come from within the youth pipeline, targeted buys from the Bundesliga and abroad, or a mix of both.
Internal options: academy players ready to step up
Borussia Dortmund’s academy remains a potential source of cover and long-term solutions at centre-back, with a trio of young defenders emerging into the senior picture. Luca Reggiani has accumulated meaningful first-team minutes this season, including his first Bundesliga goal, and represents a ready-made option for rotational minutes or a short-term loan to secure regular action.
Filippo Mane showed early promise after returning from a loan spell but suffered a thigh injury that interrupted his progress; another temporary move could accelerate his development once fit. Mussa Kaba offers versatility, having featured regularly for youth sides and operating in defensive midfield roles as well as centrally, which would give Dortmund tactical flexibility if pressed into action.
Promoting youth would be consistent with the club’s philosophy, but relying too heavily on inexperienced defenders risks exposing the back line, particularly if further senior exits materialize or injury problems persist. Strategically, Dortmund may look to blend academy promotions with one or two experienced additions to reduce immediate risk while preserving long-term upside.
Kacper Potulski — a rugged Bundesliga option
Mainz’s Kacper Potulski emerges as an attractive target for Dortmund if the club opts to strengthen with a young, physical centre-back from the Bundesliga. The 18-year-old has impressed with aerial dominance and robust defensive metrics, including an average of around 3.2 aerial duels per 90 and strong figures for interceptions, blocks and clearances, marking him out as a player comfortable in high-intensity defensive duels.
Potulski has also shown a knack for contributing on set pieces and scored a headed goal against Bayern Munich, highlighting an extra attacking threat from dead-ball situations. His game is built on physicality and positional bravery, traits that make him a natural fit for the rigours of the German top flight and for a club that values aggressive defending in wide and central areas.
That said, Potulski’s distribution and long-pass accuracy are not yet elite components of his profile, which could limit his immediate suitability for a back line that has relied on progressive ball play from the centre-backs. Dortmund would likely view him as a developmental signing who can provide immediate defensive solidity while improving ballistic passing and forward progression under the club’s coaching set-up.
Youri Baas — ball progression and tactical versatility
Ajax’s Youri Baas represents a contrasting profile to Potulski: a ball-playing defender capable of stepping into midfield and initiating attacks. Baas has logged heavy minutes at Ajax, contributing several goals and an assist while demonstrating an ability to win tackles, block shots and recover possession at a high rate. His pass completion rates and accurate long passes mark him out as a player who can help Dortmund retain their preferred tempo and transition quickly from defence to attack.
Baas’s comfort on the ball and occasional forays into midfield make him a natural fit for a system that requires centre-backs to carry the ball into midfield zones and pick incisive passes. He can also provide cover at left-back when necessary, which would be valuable if players like Ramy Bensebaini or the newly arrived left-sided options need rest or rehabilitation time after transfers.
At 23, Baas blends youth with an established track record and would likely command a premium in the market; Ajax’s valuation and Baas’s contract status suggest any move would be an investment rather than a short-term loan. For Dortmund, Baas offers a forward-looking solution that addresses both defensive reliability and the club’s continuing need for ball progression from the back.
Strategic planning under sporting director Ole Book
Sporting director Ole Book has framed this summer as a time to “manage resources wisely,” indicating the club will weigh sales, free transfers and purchases against the wider financial picture. Dortmund do not appear obliged to sell, but Book’s comments imply the club will be pragmatic if opportunities to strengthen the squad arise or if player valuations become attractive.
The incoming signings and academy promotions to date point to a two-pronged approach: secure immediate cover where necessary and invest in younger players with resale value or long-term upside. Dortmund’s transfer strategy will have to balance short-term competitiveness with sustainability, buying to plug holes without disrupting squad cohesion or wage structure.
Agent activity, player contracts and external interest will shape the final roster decisions. If Schlotterbeck or other starters depart, Dortmund will need rapid reinforcements; if most senior players remain, prioritising targeted signings and loaning young prospects for regular minutes becomes the likelier path.
Possible summer scenarios and tactical implications
Several summer outcomes are plausible for Dortmund’s backline depending on how many departures are finalized and which targets the club secures. In a low-change scenario, internal youth and the new signing already completed would provide sufficient cover, preserving continuity while allowing the coaching staff to integrate Joane Gadou and manage Emre Can’s recovery.
In a medium-change scenario, Dortmund would add one or two established young centre-backs such as Potulski or Baas alongside loan moves for academy players, blending physical presence and ball progression. This would protect the team’s tactical identity while introducing players ready to step in as starters if needed.
A major overhaul—should multiple senior defenders leave—would require a more aggressive market approach, combining immediate, experienced recruits with long-term developmental signings. Tactically, the coach may adjust the defensive shape to compensate for any loss in passing range or aerial dominance, perhaps leaning more on midfield control or full-back support until the new partnership settles.
Whatever transpires, Dortmund will need to ensure balance across the three central positions: a coordinator who can carry the ball and spray passes, a physical stayer to anchor aerial duels and a versatile option who can cover wide areas or step into midfield when matches demand it.
The club’s next steps will be influenced by contract situations, medical reports, the outcomes of the World Cup period and the market appetite for Dortmund players. The sporting department’s diligence over the coming weeks will determine whether the summer becomes a measured refresh or a full-scale rebuild.
Borussia Dortmund enter the transfer window with clear questions to answer at the heart of defence, and the choices they make now will define the club’s balance of experience and youth heading into the next season.
