The Bundesliga is in the middle of its long winter break at the moment, but the already tight title race feels like it’s heating up even more.
Borussia Dortmund have been making some big Bundesliga 2020 news after their early moves in the transfer window, headlined of course by their successful acquisition of the hottest striker prospect in Europe: Erling Braut Haaland.
Meanwhile, leaders RB Leipzig and reigning champions Bayern Munich also have some moves potentially in the works as they look to bolster their title chances.
Allow SBOBET to break down the top trending news items around the Bundesliga over the last few days.
Dortmund win Haaland sweepstakes
Borussia Dortmund didn’t enter the winter break on a high after dropping points in a 3-3 draw with RB Leipzig, which was followed by a 2-1 defeat against Hoffenheim.
However, the successful signing of Erling Braut Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg is sure to have lifted spirits at Signal Iduna Park, not to mention their Bundesliga 2020 odds to win the title.
The BVB paid a mere 20 million euros for Haaland due to his release clause, which is an absolute bargain to secure the services of the prodigious teen. They also topped other clubs such as Manchester United, Juventus, and RB Leipzig in landing the young Norwegian’s signature, which is quite a coup for the club.
The 19-year-old Haaland is in the midst of a brilliant season. He bagged a whopping 16 goals in 14 Austrian Bundesliga appearances. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, he also scored eight goals in his first-ever Champions League campaign as Salzburg crashed out in the group stage.
Haaland now gives Dortmund a dangerous frontman to spearhead their already formidable attack. Captain Marco Reus can be deployed in his natural position right behind the main striker, with wingers Jadon Sancho, Thorgan Hazard, and Julian Brandt in support.
Haaland’s arrival could potentially spell the end of Paco Alcacer’s time in Dortmund. The Spaniard, who had a blindingly hot start to the season before being sidelined with injuries, has been linked with a move back to Spain this winter, with Atletico Madrid being discussed as a possible landing spot.
Julian Weigl off to Benfica
Not long after Haaland’s arrival, Dortmund bid farewell to midfielder Julian Weigl, who is off to Portuguese champions Benfica on a deal worth around 20 million euros.
Weigl, 24, apparently requested for the move, according to Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.
“Julian approached us with this wish and we agreed, also because of his service to the club,” Zorc said in a statement. “We wish him all the best for the future.”
Weigl joined Dortmund from 1860 Munich back in 2015 and made 95 total appearances in five seasons with the Black and Yellow. He was a regular starter under former manager Thomas Tuchel, but he has been a mere bit-part player under current boss Lucien Favre.
With Weigl’s departure, Dortmund have one fewer option to call upon in central midfield. Axel Witsel, Thomas Delaney, and Mahmoud Dahoud are the conventional midfielders left on the squad, while Brandt and Raphael Guerreiro can also play in the position if needed.
Bayern keeping tabs on Lukas Klostermann
Bayern Munich have a habit of snatching away their main rivals’ stars, and the latest one on their radar is reportedly RB Leipzig right-back Lukas Klostermann.
The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the top right-backs in the Bundesliga and has been called up to the German national team eight times. His current contract runs out in 2021 and is yet to sign a new deal with Leipzig.
On paper, Bayern already have two right-backs on their squad in Joshua Kimmich and Benjamin Pavard. But the former is now playing primarily in midfield and the latter has needed to play at centre-back due to injuries to Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez.
With Leipzig in the thick of the title race, though, it seems unlikely that they will sell to a direct rival in Bayern during this transfer window unless the champions can blow the Red Bulls away with a massive offer for the promising right-back.
Leipzig taking a look at Benjamin Henrichs
And in a related piece of transfer gossip, Leipzig reportedly have interest in Monaco right-back Benjamin Henrichs.
The 22-year-old made the move to Monaco in 2018 from Bayer Leverkusen and has three Germany caps to his name.
Bayern Munich reportedly also have eyes on Henrichs, although the young German defender would apparently prefer to play for Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann.
If Klostermann does move to Bayern, Henrichs would have some big shoes to fill in the Leipzig side. But if’s he brought in to be a backup for Klostermann, that would be a fine move that bolsters Leipzig’s relatively thin squad as they expect to battle for the title deep into the season.
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