As the curtain looks set to fall on Julian Brandt’s seven-year stay at Westfalenstadion, Borussia Dortmund appear to have found their replacement in Italy.
The man in the spotlight? Torino’s Croatian maestro, Nikola Vlasic.
With Brandt confirmed to be leaving BVB this summer, the search for a new creative spark has led the Dortmund hierarchy straight to Serie A.
According to reports from Tuttosport, contact has already been made between Dortmund and Torino regarding the availability of Vlasic.
It’s a move that makes a lot of sense on paper, especially with Niko Kovac — a long-term admirer of his compatriot — reportedly driving the interest.
But as with any high-profile Dortmund signing, this one won’t be straightforward or cheap.
Why Nikola Vlasic is the perfect fit for Dortmund
Replacing a player like Julian Brandt is no small task.
Despite the occasional criticism from the Yellow Wall regarding his consistency, Brandt has been a statistical powerhouse, racking up over 120 goal involvements in 300 appearances for the club.
However, Vlasic offers a remarkably similar profile.
Capable of playing as a traditional ‘number ten’, a second striker, or drifting in from the left wing, the 28-year-old has become the heartbeat of Torino’s attack.
This season alone, he’s notched eight goals and five assists in 33 matches, leading from the front as the team’s vice-captain.
His ability to operate in tight spaces and his relentless work rate, something Brandt was often accused of lacking, makes him an attractive proposition for a BVB side looking to move in a more industrious direction.
From Premier League struggles to Serie A stardom For Vlasic
It hasn’t always been plain sailing for Vlasic. His time in the Premier League with both Everton and West Ham was largely forgettable, as he struggled to adapt to the pace of the English game. But a move to Turin has completely revitalised his career.
Torino turned a successful loan spell into a permanent €11 million deal, and since then, Vlasic hasn’t looked back.
He is currently the most important attacking asset for the “Granata” alongside Giovanni Simeone.
That surge in form has not only caught the eye of Dortmund but also Eintracht Frankfurt and Roma.
The cost of the Vlasic to Dortmund transfer
Dortmund will have to dig deep if they want to land their man. While Vlasic’s current contract runs until 2027, Torino reportedly hold an option to automatically extend that deal until 2028.
This puts the Italian club in a strong negotiating position.
For BVB, the funds are there following the inevitable sale of Brandt, but they will face stiff competition.
Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is said to be a “great admirer” of the Croatian international, although his own future in the capital remains uncertain.
If Dortmund want to ensure they don’t head into next season with a Brandt-sized hole in their midfield, they may need to act fast.
Vlasic has proven he can be the leading man in a major European league, now the question is whether he can do it in the yellow and black of Dortmund.
