Dortmund dismiss Woltemade link and express desire to keep Guirassy
Borussia Dortmund's sporting managing director Lars Ricken has publicly dismissed reports linking the club with a move for Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade and reaffirmed the club's desire to retain star striker Serhou Guirassy. Ricken was responding to a story from German publication Bild, which suggested Dortmund were considering a one-year loan for Woltemade as a potential replacement should Guirassy depart this summer.
When asked about the speculation by Sport Bild, Ricken stated bluntly, "That’s the first I’ve heard of it. No truth to it." He further emphasized that the club's attacking line is currently well-staffed, saying Dortmund are "excellently positioned" up front with both Guirassy and on-loan striker Fábio Silva, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January. The swift denial aims to quell what the club appears to view as unfounded speculation early in the transfer window.
The core of the story, however, revolves around the future of Serhou Guirassy. The 28-year-old Guinean international has been a revelation since joining Stuttgart, and subsequently Dortmund, scoring goals at a prolific rate in the Bundesliga. His form has naturally attracted interest from larger clubs, and it is widely reported that his contract contains a release clause in the region of €35 million, which becomes active for certain elite teams this summer.
Despite the persistent rumors and the tangible possibility of the clause being triggered, Ricken expressed strong optimism that Guirassy will remain at Signal Iduna Park. "We hear every transfer window that he might leave – and he’s still here," Ricken noted, highlighting the player's continued presence through previous windows. He clarified the club's unified stance, adding, "It’s my wish and the wish of [sporting director] Ole [Book] and [head coach] Niko Kovac that Serhou remains with us this summer."
Ricken also provided insight into the player's own mindset, claiming Guirassy "feels extremely comfortable at the club, and there is no intention to let him go." This public declaration of intent serves a dual purpose: it reassures fans of the club's ambition to keep its key assets, and it potentially strengthens Dortmund's hand in any future negotiations, either with interested clubs or with the player regarding a new contract without a release clause.
For Newcastle's Nick Woltemade, the dismissed links highlight his perceived status as an emerging talent. The 22-year-old German forward has found first-team opportunities limited at St. James' Park since his move from Werder Bremen, making a loan move this summer a logical step for his development, though a destination now appears unlikely to be Dortmund. The situation underscores the interconnected nature of the transfer market, where one potential move is often contingent on another.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Guirassy's future. While Dortmund's leadership has made their position clear, the existence of a manageable release clause means his destiny could ultimately be decided by an offer from a club willing to meet that valuation. Dortmund's planning, including any potential search for a replacement, will remain on hold until that scenario plays out.
