Borussia Dortmund have already been strengthening their squad with young players this summer, with the signings of Joane Gadou and Kaua Prates both already through the door. But the German outfit is reportedly set to continue this early business in the form of French defender Bastien Meupiyou.
The name Bastien Meupiyou might seem a little unknown to most, but he has played for a former Premier League side, which would gain financially from any transfer Bastien Meupiyou makes. This side was recently relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves), for whom Bastien Meupiyou was contracted for a year from 2024 to 2025, after moving from FC Nantes for €5 million.
Reuters/Andrew CouldridgeHe spent the majority of his time in the U23 setup for Wolves, getting the odd bench appearance for the Wolves first team but never actually making a senior appearance. The now 20-year-old then moved to Liga Portugal side Alverca at the start of the 2025/26 season.
In this transfer, however, it has been reported in the Express and Star that there were a few clauses included, including a buy-back clause that the Championship side does not look set to trigger, and also a number of add-ons and a sell-on clause, meaning that Wolves could net a reported £9.4 million from a transfer from Alverca to Borussia Dortmund.
Bastien Meupiyou is contracted to Alverca until 2028, but is likely to leave Alverca this summer, with the club no doubt keen to cash in on a player who has had a good first full season in senior football, clocking up 32 competitive appearances across all competitions and looking like a player with real potential.
So perhaps it is no wonder that Borussia Dortmund are reportedly willing to offer a total package of €17 million, with €12 million up front and a further €5 million in add-ons. However, with the club already having a strong amount of central defenders at the club, it begs the question, is the signing of Bastien Meupiyou needed?
Author’s Verdict
Bastien Meupiyou has undoubtably had a strong start to his senior men’s footballing career in Portugal, but for Borussia Dortmund to be willing to pay €17 million for him, after already spending €20 million on Joane Gadou and having six other players who can play in the centre of defence, is this signing something that Borussia Dortmund needed to pursue, especially when it is well documented that they are trying to look to strengthen in attack.
Or perhaps there is a different way of looking at this. Both Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton have been linked with moves away from the club this summer. Is it possible that Dortmund are preparing for their potential exits?
Katie Stratman-Imagn ImagesMaybe they expect to keep both or at least one of Schlotterbeck and Anton for one more year minimum, allowing both Joane Gadou and Bastien Meupiyou to settle into the squad, making them ready-made replacements should either of the senior defenders leave the Signal Iduna Park in the near future.
