Following on from a positive second-place finish in this season’s Bundesliga, Dortmund’s key focus will be how to close that 16-point gap to champions Bayern Munich.

With players like Julian Brandt, Salih Özcan and Niklas Süle all exiting the club this summer, Dortmund will need to add real quality to the squad, with strategic signings needed to get back to genuinely challenging for the title.

With reinforcements needed across the team, here are three signings we believe would immediately improve Dortmund’s starting XI:

With Julian Brandt leaving the club this summer, Dortmund have continued to be linked with the likes of Jadon Sancho for a second return to the club. However, a high-quality signing with elite potential would be Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.

The 23-year-old English midfielder has previously been linked with a move to German rivals RB Leipzig, and with his top-class passing range and ideal profile to play in the right-sided inside forward role for Dortmund, Elliott would offer a real goal threat as well as the perfect player to combine quickly in transition with Serhou Guirassy.

After a frustrating campaign with limited opportunities after a poorly structure loan agreement between Liverpool and Aston Villa, Elliott could potentially become available for a reasonable fee, although Dortmund would likely face major competition for his signature.

I can hear the keys tapping to Google this player’s name. Josh Acheampong is a 20-year-old English defender who could be the perfect replacement for Süle while also providing extra cover across the back line.

Capable of playing both at right-back and on the right side of a back three, Acheampong has made 17 Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season, with reports suggesting he would be open to leaving the West London club in search of more regular first-team football. Links to Manchester United have already started picking up pace.

Expected to be available for around €25 million this summer, Chelsea may reluctantly sell, with the club well known for moving on academy products to help balance financial regulations. This could provide Dortmund with another ideal opportunity to invest in young English talent with elite potential.

I expect the fight for Angelo Stiller to be a crowded one this summer. The former Bayern Munich midfielder has once again proven this season why he’s so highly thought of and sought after across Europe.

With early links to Juventus this summer and previous reported interest from Real Madrid, Stiller looks destined for a major move sooner rather than later. Reports suggest Stuttgart could still activate an option affecting his release clause, but if not, the midfielder may be available for around €36.5 million.

With uncertainty still surrounding Dortmund’s midfield long term, and Felix Nmecha continuing to attract interest, Stiller would represent the perfect market opportunity from both a quality and resale-value perspective.

If Dortmund are serious about closing the gap to Bayern Munich next season, this summer window will be crucial. The club needs signings that not only improve the starting XI immediately, but also fit the long-term recruitment model that has brought success in the past.

Elliott, Acheampong and Stiller all fit that profile perfectly - young, technically strong, and capable of developing into elite-level players while helping Dortmund compete again right now.