Leeds or Newcastle now one step closer to landing Raphael Guerreiro

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One of the worst-kept secrets in German football is about to become common knowledge.

According to Sky Deutschland, the deal to take Ramy Bensebaini from Borussia Monchengladbach to Borussia Dortmund is, for all intents and purposes, pretty much done.  

The Algeria international has allegedly already signed a long-term deal with the Bundesliga challengers. He should touch down at Signal Iduna Park when his ‘Gladbach contract officially expires at the start of July. 

But with one arriving, does that open the door for another to depart? Raphael Guerreiro, like Bensebaini, will be a free-agent in a matter of months.  

Leeds, Newcastle and Aston Villa like Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro

Now, Dortmund have not ruled out handing the long-serving utility man fresh terms. Especially in light of his supreme recent form. 

“It was written that a decision had already been made that Raphael Guerreiro would leave. That is not the case,” sporting director Sebastien Kehl explains. “(We are) still in talks. Everything is still open. We have given it some thought.” 

But Bensebaini’s arrival at least covers BVB if the event of Guerreiro still-likely departure. 

Bensebaini is, after all, a left-back by trade. The same position Guerreiro has made his own for so many years in black-and-yellow, even if his outstanding technical ability and fine footballing intelligence has often lended itself to a midfield role. 

Guerreiro has five goals and 12 assists for Dortmund in 2022/23. And, as Transfermarkt point out, all but four of his 28 appearances have come as a left-sided defender. 

It is not certain what sort of a role Leeds envisage for Guerreiro at Elland Road. Leeds, according to 90Min, are rivalling the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle United for a France-born Portuguese playmaker who, approaching 30, is playing some of the best football of his recent career. 

Dortmund have not yet confirmed that Guerreiro will be leaving in July. But reports suggesting that Bensebaini is on his way certainly don’t point to a contract extension being announced any time soon.