Why Marcel Sabitzer's BVB Exit Is Practically Guaranteed

Borussia Dortmund is gearing up for a significant squad transition, and veteran midfielder Marcel Sabitzer appears to be heading toward the exit. According to recent reports, the club has decided against offering new terms to players whose contracts expire next summer, signaling a major philosophical shift in how the Bundesliga powerhouse manages its roster.

What's Happening at BVB

Internal discussions at Dortmund have reportedly led to the definitive decision not to extend the contracts of both Marcel Sabitzer and defender Ramy Bensebaini.

For Sabitzer, a renewal is currently considered an internal impossibility. The Austrian midfielder struggled for a consistent starting role under coach Niko Kovac last season, and his prospects dimmed further following the tactical adjustments and the arrival of competition in midfield, notably Joey Veerman.

Although Sabitzer attracted considerable interest during previous transfer windows—with his agent, Roger Wittmann, confirming around ten separate inquiries from clubs monitoring his situation—he ultimately stayed put in Westphalia. However, that temporary reprieve now appears to be winding down permanently.

Why It Matters: The Strategy Behind the Cuts

BVB's apparent reluctance to renew expiring contracts stems from a broader pivot in sporting strategy. Rather than committing high wage packets to players entering the twilight of their prime years, Dortmund wants to return to its roots: signing younger, high-potential talents who can develop within the system and later be sold for substantial profit margins.

By allowing veterans like Sabitzer and Bensebaini to run down their deals, Dortmund accepts the reality of losing them on free transfers in exchange for financial flexibility and a drastically lowered wage bill. This fiscal breathing room is essential as BVB looks to reconfigure its talent acquisition pipeline to keep pace with Europe's top spenders.

Who Is Staying?

While the club is willing to part ways with certain experienced figures, management is not gutting the entire core of the team.

Defenders Julian Ryerson and Waldemar Anton, whose current deals run until 2028, have reportedly been signaled for proactive contract extensions to lock down defensive stability. Meanwhile, star goalkeeper Gregor Kobel—also tied down until 2028 and frequently linked with elite European clubs—is slated for ongoing talks with BVB bosses as the club aggressively secures its foundational pillars.

What's Next

As the season progresses, expect Sabitzer's representatives to begin fielding pre-contract inquiries from foreign clubs ahead of the January transfer window, where he will legally be permitted to negotiate a free transfer for the following summer. For Dortmund, every match will serve as an evaluation period for the younger cohort tasked with stepping into the vacuum left by the departing veterans.