Striker gives insights into changes
Niclas Füllkrug gave insights into the transfer from Werder Bremen to Borussia Dortmund. For a long time it looked as if the striker would stay with the Green-Whites before BVB finally struck in the last week of the changeover period. The financial situation at Werder, who earned 13 million euros from the 30-year-old, more than ever before for an over-30 professional, also played a role.
“It was mainly the constellation between Werder and me. Because the club has repeatedly emphasized that things are not looking good economically and that they need to generate income. There weren’t that many players who would have brought in a high transfer fee,” said Füllkrug in an interview with “Sport Bild”. The German international also had moments in the summer “in which it was relatively clear to me that I wanted to stay at Werder.”
He signed a contract with the black and yellow until 2026. Long before sports director Sebastian Kehl first contacted him, it was clear to the right-footer that BVB would be one of his dream solutions. “I then thought about it during the transfer phase. Shortly afterwards it became clear to me: If I take a step, it has to be one that makes me feel a tingling sensation in my stomach. For example, I could have gone to England, to a club that plays internationally. But I didn’t feel that tingling sensation to leave Werder,” said Füllkrug.
Füllkrug on par with Aubameyang: The most expensive BVB center forward
20 Nelson Valdez – Transfer fee: 4.7 million euros
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Came from Werder Bremen in 2006
As of: September 2023
19 Robert Lewandowski – Transfer fee: 4.8 million euros
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Came from Lech Posen in 2010
18 Anthony Modeste – Transfer fee: 5.1 million euros
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Came from 1. FC Köln in 2022
16 Heiko Herrlich – Transfer fee: 5.5 million euros
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Came from Bor. M’gladbach in 1995
16 Julian Schieber – Transfer fee: 5.5 million euros
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Came from VfB Stuttgart in 2012
15 Fredi Bobic – Transfer fee: 5.8 million euros
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Came from VfB Stuttgart in 1999
14 Victor Ikpeba – Transfer fee: 6 million euros
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Came from AS Monaco in 1999
13 Ewerthon – Transfer fee: 7.1 million euros
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Came from Corinthians in 2001
12 Alexander Isak – Transfer fee: 8.6 million euros
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Came from AIK Solna in 2016
11 Adrián Ramos – Transfer fee: 9.7 million euros
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Came from Hertha BSC in 2014
10 Jan Koller – Transfer fee: 10.5 million euros
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Came from RSC Anderlecht in 2001
8 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Transfer fee: 13 million euros
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Came from AS St.-Étienne in 2013
8 Niclas Füllkrug – transfer fee: 13 million euros
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Came from Werder Bremen in 2023 (€2 million bonuses possible)
7 Ciro Immobile – Transfer fee: 18.5 million euros
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Came from FC Torino in 2014
6 Erling Haaland – transfer fee: 20 million euros
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Came from RB Salzburg in 2020
5 Paco Alcácer – Transfer fee: 21 million euros
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Came from FC Barcelona in 2019
4 Márcio Amoroso – Transfer fee: 25.5 million euros
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Came from Parma in 2001
2 Donyell Malen – transfer fee: 30 million euros
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Came from PSV Eindhoven in 2021
2 Karim Adeyemi – Transfer fee: 30 million euros
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Came from RB Salzburg in 2022
1 Sébastien Haller – transfer fee: 31 million euros
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Came from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022
From his point of view, Dortmund, on the other hand, “perhaps needed a striker like me” and were “an absolute top option from the first moment”. In addition to Füllkrug, the squad also includes the center forward (29), who is currently going through a difficult phase in terms of sport, and youngsters (18).
In the first conversation with Kehl, Füllkrug explained to him that he “immediately felt a tingling sensation” at BVB. And I told him that I am convinced that BVB needs me – and I also need BVB.” He doesn’t “give much thought” about his transfer fee, which Borussia has only spent once in its history on an over-30 footballer.
Füllkrug about Flick-Aus: “Was left alone a bit by the team”
Füllkrug also commented on the departure of former national coach Hansi Flick. “I had a very close relationship with Hansi Flick and am very grateful to him. I think he was left alone a bit by us as a team,” he said: “He gave us a lot of trust, often in the same players over and over again. Unfortunately, that wasn’t repaid as he deserved.”
The German Football Association parted ways with Flick about a month ago after persistent failure. His successor is Julian Nagelsmann. Füllkrug made his debut as a German international under Flick last November. He has scored seven goals in nine games for the DFB team so far. He is currently in the USA with the selection team and is full of enthusiasm. “Julian Nagelsmann is a perfectionist who can make us all better. We just have to support him as best as possible in implementing his ideas sensibly. Then we’ll get back on the road to success. I’m absolutely sure with this.”
With returnees Hummels and Führich: Julian Nagelsmann’s first DFB squad
Goal: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim)
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Market value: €4 million | These 24 players were included in the squad for the international matches against the USA and Colombia.
Goal: Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
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Market value: €8.5 million
Goal: Bernd Leno (FC Fulham)
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Market value: €12 million
Goal: Marc-André ter Stegen (FC Barcelona)
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Market value: €35 million
Defense: Mats Hummels (BVB)
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Market value: €6 million
Defense: David Raum (RB Leipzig)
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Market value: €14 million
Defense: Robin Gosens (Union Berlin)
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Market value: €15 million
Defense: Jonathan Tah (Bayer 04)
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Market value: €20 million
Defense: Malick Thiaw (AC Milan)
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Market value: €20 million
Defense: Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
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Market value: €32 million
Defense: Niklas Süle (BVB)
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Market value: €35 million
Midfield: Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion)
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Market value: €8 million
Midfield: Robert Andrich (Bayer 04)
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Market value: €11 million
Midfield: Ilkay Gündogan (FC Barcelona)
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Market value: €20 million
Midfield: Julian Brandt (BVB)
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Market value: €40 million
Midfield: Leon Goretzka (FC Bayern)
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Market value: €45 million
Midfield: Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
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Market value: €55 million
Midfield: Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern)
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Market value: €75 million
Midfield: Florian Wirtz (Bayer 04)
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Market value: €85 million
Midfield: Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern)
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Market value: €110 million
Attack: Kevin Behrens (Union Berlin)
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Market value: €2 million
Attack: Chris Führich (VfB Stuttgart)
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Market value: €4 million
Attack: Thomas Müller (FC Bayern)
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Market value: €12 million
Attack: Jonas Hofmann (Bayer 04)
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Market value: €13 million
Attack: Niclas Füllkrug (BVB)
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Market value: €13 million
Attack: Leroy Sané (FC Bayern)
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Market value: €65 million
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