Sébastien Haller looks increasingly likely to stay at Borussia Dortmund this season as the club prepares to position him as Serhou Guirassy’s understudy, despite earlier expectations of a permanent exit.
The Ivorian international, who joined Dortmund from Ajax Amsterdam in the summer of 2022, spent the 2024/25 season out on loan with spells at CD Leganés in Spain and FC Utrecht in the Netherlands.
His future had appeared to lie away from the Bundesliga side, with multiple clubs expressing interest and discussions hinting at an eventual move.
However, Dortmund’s newly appointed manager Niko Kovač, who took charge in February, has not ruled out Haller’s continued involvement in the squad. Speaking to Bild, Kovač indicated that the 31-year-old forward may still have a role to play in the coming campaign.
“I brought Seb to Frankfurt back then,” Kovač recalled. “He’s a great guy and a great person. He still needs time to readjust to our routines, but we can already see how effective he is with his back to goal. Let’s wait and see what the next few weeks bring.”
Despite speculation linking Dortmund with a move for a new centre-forward, the club has reportedly decided against signing another striker in the current transfer window.
This opens the door for Haller to remain as the backup option to Guirassy, though his position will depend heavily on his form and fitness during pre-season preparations.
While Dortmund appears willing to give him another chance, interest from elsewhere remains strong. French side LOSC Lille, Dutch club FC Utrecht — where Haller enjoyed a previous successful spell — and Major League Soccer outfit Portland Timbers have all been monitoring his situation. Notably, Haller turned down an offer from Turkish club Trabzonspor earlier in the summer.
One significant obstacle to any potential transfer remains the striker’s salary. Bild reports that Haller earns an annual wage of €11 million, a figure that complicates negotiations with potential suitors outside of Europe’s top leagues.
The coming weeks are expected to be decisive for Haller’s immediate future. Should he impress during Dortmund’s pre-season fixtures, he could secure a rotational role under Kovač, offering vital experience and depth behind Guirassy in the club’s attacking line-up.
However, if the club receives an acceptable offer that aligns with their financial and sporting goals, a late move in the transfer window cannot be ruled out.
As it stands, Sébastien Haller’s path appears to be leading him back into the Borussia Dortmund fold — not as a headline act, but as a seasoned presence prepared to step in when needed, in what could be a crucial campaign for both the player and the club.
