Arsenal have now entered the 10-way race for the free transfer of Borussia Dortmund star Mahmoud Dahoud. His Bundesliga club have opted to not renew the midfielder’s contract.
That is according to Sky Germany, which reports Arsenal have registered their interest with the 27-year-old up for grabs. Dahoud will leave the Westfalenstadion this summer after six years with Borussia Dortmund. But his availability for a Bosman swoop has suitors flocking.
Dahoud has at least 10 clubs forming a queue to discuss a move at the end of the term. He also already has some written offers after BVB confirmed the two-cap Germany midfielder will leave. He has endured a frustrating term so far after requiring surgery on his shoulder.
Borussia Dortmund and Dahoud sought to avoid an operation after he suffered the blow in August. But he was forced to undergo surgery in September and only returned to fitness in February. It has meant the Syria-born star has only played in seven games for 288 minutes.
Yet Arsenal have now registered an interest in Dahoud’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund. Leicester City also want to see the German in the Premier League. But AC Milan, AS Roma, Atletico Madrid, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Sevilla, SSC Napoli and Real Betis also want him.
Sevilla face issues rivalling Arsenal for Dahoud’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund
Dahoud moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2017 from Borussia Monchengladbach for £10.5m ahead of being a free agent in 2018. He later signed fresh terms at the Westfalenstadion in July 2021 worth £65k-a-week. But the shoulder problem has seen BVB now try to move on.
Borussia Dortmund sports director Sebastian Kehl confirmed in February that the club had elected against renewing Dahoud’s contract again. He has so far featured 138 times across all competitions with BVB for five goals and 16 assists. He has not offered any this season.
“I had a very open and honest conversation with Mo,” Kehl told Bild. “I informed him that we would not be extending his contract in the summer. Mo has been with us for six years now, he is a very good footballer and I really have a very high opinion of him.”
BVB head coach Edin Terzic has no concerns that Dahoud will let his performances drop in the final months of his contract, though. The midfielder has only made brief cameo outings lasting 12, two and seven minutes during three of his team’s past five Bundesliga matches.
“I would not and could not say anything negative about Mahmoud Dahoud,” Terzic stated, via WAZ. “He’s an outstanding footballer. He was the one who blew up completely two years ago. He will still be an important factor for us. We hope he stays healthy.”
Yet it is not Dahoud’s injury that threatens the Arsenal target’s Bosman transfer to Sevilla once he leaves Borussia Dortmund. Instead, Estadio Deportivo reports the La Liga side will struggle to afford a deal as the midfielder refuses to lower his current salary for any move.
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