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Football
Borussia Dortmund reportedly had a €20 million offer for Mainz 05's Kacper Potulski declined as the young defender's future remains uncertain.
Borussia Dortmund's attempt to sign Kacper Potulski, the 18-year-old defender from Mainz 05, was reportedly turned down despite an offer of €20 million, according to Polish sports outlet Przeglad Sportowy Onet.
Earlier this year, former Bundesliga defender Tomasz Hajto revealed on Polsat Sport that several German clubs, including Dortmund and Leverkusen, were monitoring Potulski, with additional interest from English and Italian teams. Hajto estimated that acquiring the centre-back could require a fee around €30 million.
Following Dortmund's €20 million acquisition of Joane Gadou from RB Salzburg to bolster their defense, it remains unclear whether the club will continue pursuing Potulski, who emerged as a breakout talent for Mainz last season.
Potulski progressed from Mainz's reserve squad to the first team before the winter break, having advanced through the club's youth ranks since 2023. He made a strong impression in the Conference League and debuted in the Bundesliga at the end of November.
In his second league appearance, Potulski scored against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, a performance that raised his profile nationally. However, his playing time diminished significantly under head coach Urs Fischer from March onward, with Potulski spending five of seven matches on the bench until early May before reappearing in the season's final games.
Recently, Potulski changed agents for the second time within a year, now represented by Sports360, a move that may indicate intentions to seek a transfer. Hajto expressed concern about Potulski's inconsistent playing time, warning Mainz against mishandling their promising player and questioning why he should remain if sidelined after strong performances.
Despite these challenges, Mainz's sporting director Niko Bungert emphasized Potulski's importance to the club's future, highlighting his contract through 2028 and affirming his potential as a regular starter.
Potulski has also been called up for Poland's friendly matches against Ukraine and Nigeria, which could mark his senior international debut following two appearances with the U21 team.
