Borussia Dortmund’s faithful hope newcomer Sebastien Haller will fill the huge void left in the starting line-up by Erling Haaland’s departure to Manchester City. Haller’s transfer cost Dortmund almost $36 million including bonuses, matching the most expensive club acquisition ever. Haller penned a contract until 2026.
Two other exciting talents have joined Dortmund this summer, with youngsters Karim Adeyemi and Jayden Braaf committing themselves to Borussia. Niklas Sule, who became a free agent on 1 July after his contract with Bayern expired, also signed for Dortmund.
27-year-old Haller scored 47 goals in 66 matches at Ajax, including 11 in just eight Champions League outings last season. He returns to the Bundesliga having previously played for Eintracht Frankfurt between 2017 and 2019 when he moved to West Ham United.
“We are very pleased that with Sebastien Haller we were able to sign a seasoned striker who was a sensation in the Champions League last season. He also knows the Bundesliga and has already proven his class and quality in front of the goal,” said Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
A season of drastic change awaits Borussia Dortmund, with 39-year-old Edin Terzic replacing Marco Rose as manager.
The major debate among football supporters circles around the possibility of someone actually troubling Bayern Munich in their attempt of securing an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title.
The bookies predict Bayern’s supremacy will go on
The Bavarian giants signed Sadio Mane and are planning to go after Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, but could well lose goal-machine Robert Lewandowski this summer. The Pole is ready to change air and wants to join FC Barcelona. The uncertainty around his future doesn’t affect Bayern’s chances of securing another Bundesliga triumph, bookmakers believe.
Bayern currently stands at -500 to win the Bundesliga, with Dortmund behind at +900 and RB Leipzig third at +1100. Leverkusen sits at +1700, while Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt and Gladbach are next at +6000.
The odds’ charts predict a sole run for Bayern, as none of the opponents looks strong enough to last in a 34-round long battle.
The German football season kicks off on Saturday, 30 July, with Bayern taking on RB Leipzig in the Supercup. Just six days later, Bayern travels to Frankfurt to inaugurate the Bundesliga campaign.
Bayern is at -120 to lift the Supercup, with Leipzig at +225.
Before returning to play on home soil, Bayern is currently touring the US, where they’ll meet DC United on 20 July in Washington and Manchester City three days later at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.