Borussia Dortmund and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are among the clubs showing interest in FSV Mainz 05 defender Kacper Potulski, according to former Schalke 04 player Tomasz Hajto. The Polish pundit, citing his contacts within the game, revealed the transfer speculation surrounding his compatriot in an interview with the Allgemeine Zeitung, noting that clubs from England and Italy are also monitoring the 21-year-old's situation.
Hajto, who now works as an analyst, suggested that Mainz could eventually command a fee as high as €30 million for Potulski, but warned that the player's recent lack of game time could become a problem. Despite featuring more prominently earlier in the campaign, Potulski has been an unused substitute in Mainz's last four Bundesliga matches, a run that includes heavy defeats to Bayern Munich and Strasbourg.
"I see very great potential in Kacper Potulski," Hajto said. "According to my contacts, several teams in Germany already have him on their radar – like Leverkusen and Dortmund." He expressed confusion over the defender's recent absence from the pitch, pointing to Potulski's strong performances when given opportunities, such as in a substitute appearance against Hoffenheim. "The boy could soon start asking why he should stay in Mainz if he plays well one week and not at all the next. That is a risk," Hajto added.
The interest from Leverkusen and Dortmund adds a significant layer of intrigue to Potulski's developing career. Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso, are building a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts following their historic domestic double, while Dortmund are perennially in the market for young, high-potential talent to bolster their defence. Both clubs possess the resources and prestige to tempt a promising player away from a mid-table side.
In response to the growing speculation, Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert recently moved to affirm the club's faith in Potulski's long-term future at the MEWA ARENA. "Kacper is the future," Bungert stated. "He has incredible quality and will feature regularly for us going forward. I am certain of that." This public backing is a clear attempt to manage the narrative and reassure the player of his importance to the team's project.
Potulski, a Polish youth international, joined Mainz from Lech Poznan in 2022 and has gradually been integrated into the first-team setup. His primary attributes are reported to be his composure on the ball and reading of the game from a central defensive position. For Mainz, who are currently entrenched in a relegation battle, retaining and developing their prized assets is crucial for long-term stability, making any potential sale a complex decision that would likely only be considered for a substantial fee.
The coming months will be critical in determining Potulski's immediate path. If his stint on the bench continues, the allure of a move to a Champions League contender like Leverkusen or a traditional powerhouse like Dortmund could intensify. For now, the situation remains one of keen observation, with Hajto's comments bringing the simmering transfer interest into public view.
