Ronaldo and the favourites to replace Haller for Dortmund
FT Desk
- Updated: 30 Jul 2022 15:25 BST
- 4 min read
Sebastien Haller has been ruled out for the next few months due to a malignant tumour. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of a number of players who could replace him in the Borussia Dortmund attack.
Haller returned to the Bundesliga in early July after a glittering season with Ajax which saw him score 34 goals in all competitions, including 11 in the Champions League - more than all but Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski.
But he is yet to make his Dortmund debut since completing his €34.5 million move, after testicular cancer was detected during the club's pre-season training camp in Switzerland.
The whole football world is with you, @HallerSeb! pic.twitter.com/YTmbf3oFQK
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) July 19, 2022
BVB have since said that Haller's chances of recovery are very good, and whilst world football wishes him a speedy recovery, the club may need to sign a centre-forward in the mean-time.
Who could they go for?
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United after missing their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to "personal issues," but will be back in action for the Red Devils against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
However, it is an open secret that he would rather add to his record 140 Champions League goals than spend a season playing in the Europa League, and Dortmund could offer him the chance to do that, be it on loan basis or a permanent deal.
Which club will Cristiano Ronaldo be at once the transfer window closes? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BAW6cQvkRn
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) July 28, 2022
Paco Alcacer
Paco Alcacer is another, perhaps more likely, possibility for Dortmund. The Spain international previously scored 26 goals in 47 games with the club between 2018 and 2020, and his future at Villarreal looks to be uncertain with coach Unai Emery preferring Arnaut Danjuma and Boulaye Dia in his attack last season.
Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that Alcacer has turned down approaches from Major League Soccer, but that any of Dortmund and Berlin clubs Hertha and Union could be an option for the 28-year-old.
Related articles
Anthony Modeste
Anthony Modeste could also be an option. The French forward was in tears the last time he left Cologne - in a €35 million move to Tianjin Quanjian in the Chinese Super League - in 2017, but he would be happy to make the short journey north to Dortmund, according to reports.
Only Lewandowski, Patrick Schick and Erling Haaland outscored Modeste in the Bundesliga last season, and at 34 he could be the perfect age to both plug a gap in the Dortmund attack but then settled for a reserve role on Haller's return.
Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko has emerged as a target for Man Utd should Ronaldo leave, but should he stay, Dortmund could have a chance of signing the Red Bull Salzburg striker.
BVB have already enquired about the 19-year-old Slovenian, who scored 11 goals and assisted seven more in all competitions last season and left Jurgen Klopp impressed after Salzburg beat his Liverpool 1-0 on Wednesday.
Benjamin Sesko, stop it.
Leaving Liverpool for dead. No wonder Man Utd want him 🤩pic.twitter.com/kQ2XLc1Hd3— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) July 28, 2022
Sasa Kalajdzic
Last, but by no means least, is Sasa Kalajdzic, who was linked with a move to Dortmund before they acquired Haller.
The Austria international has gone somewhat under the radar after an injury-ravaged season in 2021/22, but the previous campaign saw him notch 16 goals in 33 Bundesliga games, and he could be available for as little as €20 million - not bad for as player with the best of his career ahead of him.
