Dortmund's Brandt Hunt: Torino's Vlasic the Italian Job to Fill the Void?
Borussia Dortmund are eyeing Torino's Nikola Vlasic as a replacement for outgoing Julian Brandt, with manager Niko Kovac a big admirer. The versatile Croatian has shone in Serie A after Premier League struggles, but rivals like Eintracht Frankfurt and Roma are also interested. Torino won't let him go cheaply amid their relegation battle.
Dortmund's Brandt Hunt: Torino's Vlasic the Italian Job to Fill the Void?
Picture this: Julian Brandt is packing his bags after seven solid years at Borussia Dortmund, and the Yellow Wall is already scouting replacements. According to Italian rag Tuttosport, as reported by Jonas Rütten at Goal.com, BVB have dialled up Torino for Nikola Vlasic. Yeah, the Croatian wizard who's turning heads in Serie A. But don't crack open the champagne yet – this one's not a snip.
Brandt Bows Out: Hero or Hot Potato?
Brandt, snapped up for €25 million from Bayer Leverkusen back in the day, has been a Dortmund mainstay. In 300 competitive games, he's chipped in with 56 goals and 69 assists – decent, right? But let's be honest, mate, the fans have been muttering. Inconsistent flair, dodgy defending, and those 'what was that?' moments have worn thin.
He's confirmed his last hurrah at Signal Iduna Park this season. Time for a fresh face who can boss the No.10 role, chip in goals, and maybe track back without needing a sat-nav.
Vlasic: From Prem Flops to Torino Top Dog
Enter Nikola Vlasic, the 28-year-old Croat who's found his feet in Turin. After a nightmare spell at West Ham – where the Hammers forked out €30 million to CSKA Moscow only for him to warm the bench – he loaned to Torino, then made permanent for €11 million.
His Prem adventures? Everton bought him for €11 million from Hajduk Split youth in 2017, but 19 games, 2 goals, 1 assist later, he was off to Russia. There, he bossed it: 33 goals, 21 assists in 108 CSKA outings. Now at Torino, he's vice-captain, started every league match, and bagged 8 goals, 5 assists in 33 games this term.
Versatile too – central midfield, second striker, left wing. Sound familiar? It's like they've photocopied Brandt's blueprint, but with better pressing, allegedly. Torino hold an option to extend his deal to 2028, so expect them to play hardball.
And Niko Kovac, Vlasic's fellow Croat pulling strings at Dortmund, is a massive fan. Family ties? Priceless.
Rivals Circling: Frankfurt and Roma in the Mix
Dortmund aren't alone in the queue. Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt are sniffing around, while over in Italy, Roma boss – wait, is that Gian Piero Gasperini? Blimey, future timelines or what? – rates him highly. But Roma's gaffer seat is wobblier than a Jenga tower.
Torino are six points clear of the drop zone, with Vlasic and Giovanni Simeone leading the line in their scrap. Lose him mid-fight? Ouch.
Here's a quick stats showdown:
| Player | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|-----------------|---------|-------|---------|
| Nikola Vlasic | 414 | 70 | 63 |
| Julian Brandt | 583 | 134| 147 |
Vlasic's punchier per game, but Brandt's the volume king. Who fits BVB's high-octane chaos better?
This transfer saga could run hotter than a Dortmund derby. Will Kovac splash the cash, or will Vlasic stay putting out fires in Turin? Keep your eyes peeled – summer's shaping up juicy.