Thursday 16 April 2015 10:56, UK
Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer after a largely successful seven years in charge.
Could Dortmund’s most-prized assets on the pitch be set to follow him? A disappointing campaign sees the club in 10th position in the Bundesliga and they would have to leave if they want to play Champions League football next season.
Big names such as Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski have been allowed to leave in recent years. Could the departure of the popular Klopp spark a mass exodus?
We've picked out five names who could be tempted to follow their manager out of the door at the Westfalenstadion...
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Age: 25
Position: Attacking forward
Contract expires: June 2018
Linked with: AC Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool
Estimated transfer value: Up to £30million
Despite Dortmund’s abject season, Aubameyang has scored an impressive 17 goals in 37 appearances and Arsenal have been heavily linked with the Gabon international after he scored the second in a 2-0 Champions League group-stage victory in September.
Arsene Wenger is thought to be an admirer of the 25-year-old and Dortmund are reportedly open to selling him, although the Gunners would have to fork out a fee around the £30million mark to get their man.
Ilkay Gundogan
Age: 24
Position: Central midfielder
Contract expires: June 2016
Linked with: Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United
Estimated transfer value: Up to £20million
Dortmund’s tenacious midfield lynchpin was key to the club’s run to the 2013 Champions League final, before going on to score the equaliser at Wembley from the penalty spot. Once viewed as a possible replacement for Paul Scholes at Manchester United, Gundogan has often been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Managerial changes on United’s part, several lengthy injury setbacks for the player, and his bond with Klopp have prevented a move coming to fruition, and United are now thought to have dropped their interest in the midfielder. However, Sky Sports News HQ understands Manchester City have sent sent scouts to watch him in recent weeks and the Germany international is thought be be open to a move to England.
Mats Hummels
Age: 26
Position: Centre-back
Contract expires: June 2017
Linked with: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United
Estimated transfer value: Up to £30million
Clubs across Europe have been scrambling for Hummels’ signature after a number of high-profile reports claiming he was considering his future at Dortmund.
Leading the queue to sign the World Cup winner are Manchester United, who are thought to view Hummels as an ideal solution to their on-going defensive issues. Arsenal and Chelsea are also thought to be interested in a player whose future appeared to be in doubt well before Klopp’s announcement on Wednesday.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Age: 26
Position: Attacking midfielder
Contract expires: June 2017
Linked with: Liverpool
Estimated transfer value: Up to £20million
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers tried to bring the Armenia international to Anfield before he left Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2013.
The 26-year-old made a good start to life in the Bundesliga, scoring 11 goals in his opening season. Since then, though, the goals have dried up for Mkhitaryan and reports suggest Klopp was willing to let him this summer, should the right offer be tabled. With the manager now out of the equation, the attacking midfielder could follow suit or fight for his place at the club.
Marco Reus
Age: 25
Position: Left winger
Contract expires: June 2019
Linked with: Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid
Estimated transfer value: In excess of £40million
Reus recently signed a bumper contract extension which sees him tied to Borussia Dortmund until 2019, which means he is perhaps the least likely player on this list to leave in the summer. However, such is the demand for the player of his quality, both Dortmund, and the player, would struggle to resist a big-money approach from one of Europe’s elite.
Real Madrid have been linked with the Germany international as too have a host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City and Manchester United.
