Anthony Modeste will join Borussia Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund confirmed that. Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart was really upset about the timing.
Since Sunday morning (August 7th, 2022) there had been reports that the Frenchman was to replace Sebastien Haller at BVB. The striker is out indefinitely due to a testicular tumor that turned out to be malignant. Haller has already had surgery. Borussia Dortmund confirmed the transfer on Monday after passing the medical check-up.
Modeste not in the FC squad for the first league game
According to BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl, there was a “fundamental agreement” on Sunday afternoon. The medical check was then just a formality. Because of his move to runners-up, Modeste was no longer in the squad for 1. FC Köln in the 3-1 win in the first division game against Schalke on Sunday. “Anyone who doesn’t follow our path won’t be nominated,” explained FC coach Baumgart.
Successful again, gone again
Last season, Modeste almost single-handedly shot Cologne into the Conference League with 20 goals this season. It is the second time he has left FC after a successful season. In 2017 he went to Tianjin in China for 35 million euros after scoring 25 goals. Modeste is now playing – as long as the last hurdles are cleared – with BVB in the Champions League.
“The fact that it comes out today on the day of the game, that’s what pisses me off,” Baumgart was not happy about the rumors on Sunday after the 3-1 win against promoted FC Schalke 04. “It also has to do with fair play that you do that keep it under the lid and don’t talk big. That’s what gets on my nerves.”
Baumgart continues: “So we got into a difficult situation four hours before the game and I have the arse card because I have a good relationship with Tony personally and have to make the decision to take out the boy who would have liked to play.”
