Premier League-linked Raphael Guerreiro has confirmed his departure from Borussia Dortmund as the Aston Villa and Newcastle United becomes a free-agent.
Well, at least the France-born Portugal international can say that he did his part.
It was Raphael Guerreiro’s well-taken strike which halved the deficit during Borussia Dortmund’s calamitous final day draw with Mainz; a goal which sparked hopes of a dramatic comeback but ultimately counted for nothing as Jamal Musiala, over in Koln, showcased the kind of laser-like accuracy no one else in Edin Terzic’s squad seemed capable of emulating.
The nature of Guerreiro’s farewell, then, was one of ‘sadness’. The chance to sign off as a Bundesliga champion going up in smoke on a day in which BVB cemented their reputation as Germany’s answer to Tottenham Hotspur.
Losing the title on the final day, in front of your own supporters, after missing a penalty and squandering countless goalscoring opportunities? ‘Spursy’ indeed.
Rapheel Guerreiro leaves Dortmund after Bundesliga heartbreak
“After seven amazing years, it’s time for me to say goodbye to you all with a lot of sadness,” Guerreiro writes, via The Athletic.
“The memories I made here taught me a lot on myself on the pitch but also helped me a lot knowing what I really love in football.
“I have always been myself while learning and improving here and I will never forget the love I got from the fans and my team-mates during these seven years. I had the chance to play with some fantastic players!”
Versatile and highly-technical; Guerreiro was one of Dortmund’s finest performers in a season which promised so much but delivered only heartbreak. He set up 14 goals and scored six of his own. That well-taken right-footed finish against Mainz was his 40th in BVB colours since joining from Lorient in 2016.
Not bad for a man who puts the ‘attacking’ in ‘attacking full-back’.
According to 90Min, Guerreiro has admirers at Aston Villa and Newcastle United. Both clubs could do with further competition for the left-back spot; Lucas Digne struggling to make his mark at the former while Matt Targett faces an uncertain future at the latter.
Newcastle’s priority, however, appears to be Arsenal benchwarmer Kieran Tierney as things stand.
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