Borussia Dortmund are set to sign defender Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of €20 million, plus bonuses, according to L’Équipe. The 19-year-old French centre-back is poised to sign a five-year contract with the Bundesliga side, who finished second in the league and have already qualified for next season’s Champions League.
Gadou only joined Salzburg at the beginning of the 2024-2025 season from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €10 million, meaning Red Bull are set to make a significant profit on the player in a short period. His development in Austria has been rapid, leading to interest from one of Germany’s top clubs.
This season, Gadou has featured in 33 matches across all competitions for Salzburg, including seven appearances in the Europa League. He faced Olympique Lyonnais in the group stage, a match Salzburg lost 2-0 on October 2nd. Gadou’s performances have demonstrated his growing maturity and potential at a relatively young age.
The move to Dortmund represents a step up in competition for Gadou, providing him with the opportunity to play regularly in the Champions League and test himself against some of the best players in Europe. Dortmund have a reputation for developing young talent, and Gadou will likely be seen as a long-term investment for the club’s defence. The transfer bolsters Dortmund’s defensive options ahead of a challenging campaign, and provides further evidence of their commitment to building a competitive squad.
