Serhou Guirassy's Future at Borussia Dortmund: Options and Challenges

Serhou Guirassy is edging towards the exit at Borussia Dortmund. Not because of the city, not because of the coach as a person – but because of the football.

According to Sky Sport, the 30-year-old striker has made up his mind to leave BVB this summer. The relationship with Niko Kovac is described as good, yet Guirassy is reportedly unconvinced by the style of play under the new coach. At this stage of his career, with his peak years ticking away, he wants something different. A new league, a new rhythm, a new challenge.

He will not be short of admirers. Seven heavyweight clubs, among them Real Madrid and Manchester City, can trigger his €40 million release clause. None has moved. The clause lies untouched, an open invitation nobody has yet accepted.

The real movement sits one tier below the super-clubs. AC Milan, Fenerbahce and Tottenham Hotspur are all pushing to land the Guinean international. Because they are not using the clause, they would need to negotiate directly with Dortmund, where Guirassy is under contract until 2028. Any deal will be a proper transfer battle, not a simple formality.

Inside BVB, the mood is conflicted. The hierarchy have not given up on keeping him. They know exactly what they would be losing. Since his arrival from VfB Stuttgart in 2024, Guirassy has delivered 21 goals and six assists in 45 appearances – a reliable, top-level return. Replacing that kind of output, at that price, in this market, would be painful.

So the charm offensive has begun. Sporting director Ole Book has already sat down with Guirassy. Club legend Lars Ricken and Kovac are expected to join the next round of talks as Dortmund try to sell their vision, tweak their project, and persuade their No. 9 that his future still lies in black and yellow. For now, the clock is ticking and the striker is restless.

Ramaj loses his place – and faces an uncertain Dortmund future

While Guirassy weighs up his options, another Dortmund player has already felt the ruthless edge of decision-making. Diant Ramaj, on loan at 1. FC Heidenheim, went from undisputed No. 1 to bench option in a single weekend.

When Heidenheim travelled to Cologne and claimed a vital 3-1 away win, it was Frank Feller standing in goal, not the BVB loanee. The switch was no last-minute whim.

"Frank Feller went into pre-season as our potential number one, then he got injured and was out for months. Recently, his form in training has been top-class. We haven't won many away games, but we have to win today. We're rewarding him for his performances, and maybe he'll bring us a bit of luck too," said coach Frank Schmidt before kick-off.

There was no drama from Ramaj. He had, by his own admission, "expected" the decision. Schmidt stressed the clarity within the squad: "We're very clear in our communication. We don't beat about the bush and leave players in the dark; we always tell it like it is. Even if it's rubbish, we say so. That's what we thrive on – that team spirit." The win in Cologne keeps Heidenheim’s survival hopes alive and underlines how brutal the margins can be for a goalkeeper.

Ramaj is now likely to spend Saturday’s season finale against Mainz 05 on the bench. After that, he heads back to Dortmund when his loan expires in the summer. BVB only signed the 24-year-old from Ajax Amsterdam in February 2025, tying him down until 2029. On paper, that looks like long-term planning.

Reality is less clear. WAZ recently reported that Dortmund, Bundesliga runners-up, are also open to selling the keeper. One demotion at Heidenheim, one uncertain role at BVB – Ramaj’s next move could shape the trajectory of his career.

Dortmund’s next generation chases silverware

While senior futures hang in the balance, Dortmund’s youngsters are already playing for a trophy. On Tuesday at 8 pm, a combined BVB U19/U23 squad will contest the final of the Premier League International Cup against a Real Madrid selection.

The competition stretches over several months and pairs England’s top U21 sides with leading international youth teams. Dortmund have carved out their path the hard way. In the group stage between December and January, they beat Leeds United, West Ham United and AFC Sunderland, advancing despite a defeat to Manchester United. In the knockout rounds, they edged past Everton in the quarter-finals and then dispatched Real Sociedad in the semi-finals at the end of April.

Now comes Real Madrid. A different level of test, a different style of opponent.

"Real are a typical Spanish side who have a lot of possession, play dominantly and press high up the pitch," said U19 coach Felix Hirschnagl as he looked ahead to the final. U23 coach Daniel Rios made it clear Dortmund will not retreat into their shell: "We're not going to change our approach now and become significantly more defensive. We are convinced that our style of play—both with and without the ball—gives us the best chance to beat a very strong opponent."

The squad reflects that ambition. Filippo Mane, Almugera Kabar and 16-year-old Mathis Albert are all included. Albert, who made his Bundesliga debut in the 4-0 win over Freiburg at the end of April, stands out as the latest academy talent nudging at the first-team door.

Guirassy could leave. Ramaj might be sold. Around them, Dortmund’s structure shifts and reshapes. Yet on Tuesday night, under the lights, a group of teenagers and young professionals have the chance to lift a trophy in black and yellow – and to show where the club’s future might really be heading.