Ismaelo Ganiou: Dortmund linked with Lens defender

Ismaelo Ganiou, the France and Burkina Faso centre-back currently at Lens, has been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

The 21-year-old has made five Ligue 1 appearances this season, scoring once, while also featuring twice in the Champions League. He started 56% of Lens’ league matches and has played 53% of the club’s available minutes in the competition.

Ganiou joined Lens from Padova in July 2025 and has since become part of the first-team squad. He also played in Lens’ French Super Cup victory this season, having helped the club win the French Cup in the previous campaign.

The defender’s current market value is €30m, while his contract with Lens runs until 30 June 2030. That long-term agreement means any potential move would involve Dortmund dealing with a player whose current terms extend well beyond the present season.

Born in Lille, Ganiou came through Lens’ youth system before progressing to the club’s B side. He spent part of the 2024-25 season on loan at FC Annecy before returning to Padova and subsequently moving permanently to Lens.

The rumour places the right-footed defender among the players being linked with a switch from Ligue 1 to the Bundesliga, although no transfer has been confirmed. Ganiou remains a Lens player under contract until 2030.