BVB: Transfer strategy works – Watzke is increasing pressure and wants titles

A little over a month later Borusio announced the return of Mats Hummels for 30.5 million euros from Munich, before July 1 with the latest entry of Barca talent Mateu Morey sealed.

Watzke declares early transfer offensive

While many other clubs are still involved in interior planning, BVB has already invested 130 million including a purchase option from Paco Alcácer and completed as much of its planning as possible – and this before the start of the transfer window on 1 July.

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"We wanted to bring our approaches as quickly as possible so that we would not get involved in price warfare," BVB Managing Director Hans-Joachim Watzke said on Tuesday at Dortmund's press conference, the backdrop of the early transfer offensive.

A clear advantage over Bayern, which was still awaiting a "domino effect" on July 8 and has only since introduced Perisic as an additional new signing.

At least for now, it seems that Borussia is behaving much more cleverly in the transfer market.

Champion title as a goal of BVB

Already after last season's match against Borussia Mönchengladbach the Dortmund spent the following season the championship goal and only a little later left their words to follow three transfers.

He wanted "not to talk about why we didn't become champions, but to talk about wanting to be champions in the new season," Watzke told the BVB Talk "19.09 – the black and yellow talk" of Ruhr Nachrichten.

But the newcomers are looking forward to: "We don't have young players, but more or less just national players, I think everyone can pursue our goal, but they have to prove it now," said the Sauerland native.

BVB squad planning "actually" ended

Following Hummels' commitment, the squad in the meantime was clearly too big, but this building site in the meantime was also able to work on sports director Michael Zorc. Eleven players have already been transferred and brought in the Dortmunders – Christian Pulisic's sale to Chelsea FC for 64 million euros included – a total of 130 million euros in revenue and thus a balanced transfer balance.

In the end, even a plus could stand, as Watzke suggested there may be more departures: "We're getting closer and closer to the size of our frame."

Candidates for actual strike no longer exist. In a BVB talk, the 60-year-old said the squad plans were "actually" over. However, Raphael Guerreiro could still leave the club if he cannot make friends with a contract extension.

Due to the early signings BVB coach Lucien Favre was able to work with and on his desired formation from the start – a distinct advantage compared to the worst champions rivals FC Bayern.

BVB with advantages over Bayern

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There they still have only 18 professional players in the squad on Tuesday after Perisic's engagement. Especially in the offensive after the departure of Arjen Robben (career end), Franck Ribéry (goal unknown) and James Rodriguez (final loan, Real Madrid) still need to act, which has not been hidden from even the Bayern players.

More or less openly, they have been calling for reinforcements in recent weeks. Munich has already spent a total of 115 million euros for Lucas Hernandez (80 million euros) and Benjamin Pavard (35 million euros).

Although there is still work to be done on the final delivery spurt for Bayern executives, there is now great satisfaction in Dortmund.

Watzke wants a party in Borsigplatz

"The last time we didn't have a single defeat in the preseason was 2011. The end is known," said Watzke considering the double in the season.

He would not contest a repeat, Watzke emphasized. For the last master party in Borsigplatz it was a long time ago "and I've always had the feeling since 2012 that maybe it wasn't the last."

BVB has already achieved at least a small masterpiece through the transfer procedure.