As another Bundesliga season draws to a close, Borussia Dortmund are preparing for life without Niklas Sule, who announced his retirement. However, while the 30-year-old's farewell marks an emotional moment for the club, the BVB waste no time.Dortmund defender hangs up his boots at just 30The gap in their defence has to be filled as soon as possible, and the candidate to step into the former Germany international's shoes has already been eyed. It's Red Bull Salzburg's gem of Ivorian descent, Joane Gadou.Born in France, the youngster progressed through Paris Saint-Germain's youth system, but declined to sign a professional contract with the Parisians, and was consequently sold to the Austrian side for €10 million in September 2024.🚨🧨 BREAKING | Borussia Dortmund and Joane #Gadou have reached a full agreement. Long-term contract. Medical and signing still pending.Negotiations between #BVB and RB Salzburg are close to completion, as also reported by @sn_aktuell. Fee: €20m fixed, €4-6m in add-ons, plus… pic.twitter.com/jtZDqpvK0q— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 5, 2026 And even though only a handful of teenagers would choose such a path and turn down the giants from the French capital, Gadou apparently made a wise decision, as he impressed at Salzburg, while it's questionable if he would have enough playing time in Luis Enrique's star-studded squad.The 19-year-old has been one of the key players in Daniel Beichler's side, making 58 appearances across two seasons. Although his contract runs through 2029, Gadou could leave for Dortmund very soon.According to Kicker, he is among the top targets of the BVB's new sporting director, Nils-Ole Book, and could become his first signing in the new role, with an estimated transfer fee of around €20 million.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 33Friday21.30: (1.65) Dortmund (4.50) Eintracht Frankfurt (4.60)Saturday16.30: (2.10) Augsburg (3.50) Monchengladbach (3.40)16.30: (1.48) Hoffenheim (5.00) Werder (5.50)16.30: (1.30) RB Leipzig (5.80) St. Pauli (9.00)16.30: (2.20) Stuttgart (4.20) Leverkusen (2.95)19.30: (4.10) Wolfsburg (4.65) Bayern (1.68)Sunday16.30: (3.00) Hamburger (3.50) Freiburg (2.45)18.30: (1.95) Koln (4.10) Heidenheim (3.60)20.30: (1.80) Mainz (3.70) Union Berlin (5.00)***odds are subject to change***
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