Borussia Dortmund appear poised to complete a €52m double transfer for PAOK Saloniki attacker Giannis Konstantelias and PSV Eindhoven midfielder Joey Veerman. Konstantelias has already arrived in Dortmund as negotiations over his move from PAOK enter their final stages. Get German Football Newsreported earlier today that BVB are on the verge of signing Greek attacker Giannis Konstantelias.
According to Kicker, Dortmund are expected to pay a guaranteed fee of between €25m and €27m for Konstantelias, with bonuses potentially pushing the overall package beyond €30m. Dortmund’s work appears unlikely to stop there. Eindhovens Dagblad – as relayed by FT – reports BVB are also set to sign PSV midfielder Joey Veerman by activating his €22m release clause.
Sky Germany reports that the 27-year-old Netherlands international is expected to receive a five-year contract and undergo his medical on Monday.
Veerman would address another priority identified by Dortmund following their decision to withdraw from the El Mala negotiations. Book has publicly stressed the need to strengthen central midfield with a player capable of contributing offensively rather than merely operating as a holding midfielder in front of BVB’s back three. The two deals would effectively redistribute much of the money Dortmund had been prepared to spend on El Mala.
Konstantelias would add dribbling and creativity between the lines, while Veerman would provide passing quality and greater control from deeper midfield positions. If both transfers proceed as expected, Dortmund will have committed approximately €52m to two very different solutions to their remaining squad needs.
Borussia Dortmund officials hinted at the blockbuster double transfer
“We have a lot of things going on,” BVB sporting director Nils-Ole Book told reporters after Dortmund’s friendly against AS Roma yesterday. “We [the BVB administrative team] are trying to work together proactively in order to sign players that can help us, the ones who bring the qualities we need. As always, we won’t be commenting on names or specific media reports.”
“We have several players in mind who can strengthen us,” Book continued. “I don’t want to call it Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C. We’re just seeking the right players. You’ll just have to wait and see. We had funds earmarked for Said El Mala. Now it’s entirely possible that we’re going to sign more than one player. Absolutely.”
“We’re definitely going to get more good players,” a wide-grinning head coach Niko Kovac added. “You can all bet on that. Who they’re going to be. Allow yourselves to be surprised. Are you still familiar with such a phrase? Allow yourselves to be surprised!”