Julien Duranville is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund on a permanent transfer this summer, according to a report from Sport BILD. The Belgian winger currently plays on loan at FC Basel, but a return to Dortmund is now considered unlikely despite having a contract with the club until 2028.
Dortmund signed Duranville from Zulte Waregem in January 2023 for a reported €8.5 million, hoping he would develop into a key player for the Bundesliga side. However, the 18-year-old has struggled to establish himself, initially battling injury and then failing to make a significant impact when fit. The loan to Basel was intended to provide him with regular first-team football and accelerate his development.
Despite featuring in 16 league games for Basel, Duranville only managed to score twice and provide one assist, failing to fully convince the German club of his potential. While French clubs have expressed interest in the player, Dortmund are likely to receive a transfer fee lower than the €8.5 million they originally paid for him.
Complicating matters further, FC Basel are also set to receive a portion of any transfer fee Dortmund receives for Duranville, due to the terms of the loan agreement. This will reduce the financial return for Dortmund, who are now looking to cut their losses on the young Belgian. Duranville’s departure will free up a squad space and allow Dortmund to focus on strengthening other areas of the team during the transfer window. The move represents a setback for both player and club, but offers Duranville a chance to find a new environment where he can consistently feature and develop his game.
