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Borussia Dortmund are one of the biggest clubs in Europe's top five leagues. The Bundesliga giants have also been consistent performers in European competitions.
BvB haven't won a major title since their successive Bundesliga triumphs in 2010 and 2011. However, they have built a reputation as one of the shrewdest operators in the transfer market.
Dortmund have one of the best scouting networks in Europe. They use that to pluck out raw diamonds from across the continent, and mould them into world-class players. BvB later sell these players at enormous profits and reinvest that money to uncover the next young talent, and the cycle repeats itself.
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The strategy, though fraught with risk, has yielded Dortmund rich dividends over the years. Dortmund have one of the most competitive young squads in the continent. On that note, here's a look at the five youngest Borussia Dortmund players at the moment:
#5 Manuel Akanji - €30 million
Manuel Akanji has been a key player for Dortmund since arriving from FC Basel in January 2018.
In nearly 150 games across competitions for BvB, the centre-back has been a solid presence at the back, and has also contributed three goals and two assists. He recently returned to action after a knee surgery.
Despite speculation about his future at Signal Iduna Park, Akanji, who is contracted with the club till 2023, is only focussed 'on the team'.
Recent reports suggest that Borussia Dortmund are keen to extend the contract of their star defender. Incoming BvB sporting director Sebastian Kehl recently said in this regard:
“Manuel is an absolutely key player for us, who has played in all the games when he has been fit. He is a very important factor for us in the defense and has developed really well. We have a lot confidence in his abilities, so of course we will try to extend his contract, which runs until 2023.”
#4 Raphael Guerreiro - €35 million
Raphael Guerreiro is one of the best left-backs in the German top flight at the moment.
Since arriving from Lorient in the summer of 2016, the 28-year-old has racked up nearly 180 appearances across competitions for BvB. He has contributed an impressive 32 goals and 34 assists during this period. That includes three goals and two assists - all in the Bundesliga - this season.
Despite speculation about his future at Dortmund, the injury-plagued Guerreiro wants to stay for 'many more years'.
With the left-back's contract expiring next season, Borussia Dortmund are reportedly mulling extending Guerreiro's contract.
#3 Giovanni Reyna - €42 million
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna is one of the most exciting young players in the game at the moment.
The teenager has made nearly 70 appearances across competitions for BvB, bagging ten goals and eleven assists. Two of those strikes and an assist have come this season. Recently, the American became the youngest player to make 50 Bundesliga appearances.
Reyna is reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid, who are planning to snap up the American this summer. However, with the teenager contracted with them till 2025, BvB are unlikely to let Reyna leave for anything less than his market value.
#2 Jude Bellingham - €75 million
Jude Bellingham is another talented teenager in BvB's ranks. The 18-year-old Englishman has contributed eight goals and 14 assists in 74 games across competitions for the club.
More than half of those goal contributions (four goals and ten assists) have come this season, including four in the Champions League. Earlier this season, Bellingham broke Mbappe's record to become the youngest player to score in consecutive games in the continental competition.
Thanks to his staggering exploits this season, Bellingham has attracted the attention of many top clubs. Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly interested in his services, but Borussia Dortmund are unlikely to let the Englishman leave any time soon.
#1 Erling Haaland - €150 million
Erling Haaland is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the game at the moment.
The 21-year-old centre-forward has been on a tear since arriving at Dortmund in January 2020. In only 83 games across competitions, Haaland has plundered 80 goals. That includes 23 strikes this season. In the process, he became the youngest and quickest player to score 50 times in the Bundesliga.
Haaland's release clause will reportedly drop to €75 million - half of his current market value - after this season, which has got top clubs making a beeline for his services.
Borussia Dortmund want to keep their prized asset for a while, but they want the superstar to make a decision soon, which hasn't enthused Haaland. It remains to be seen if he remains a BvB player next season.
