Chelsea and Man United have been told that they have missed out on signing a defensive 'cornerstone' as Niklas Sule has decided to complete a move to Borussia Dortmund.
Sule, 26, was set to decide his future in the summer but recent media leaks have indicated that a decision on his future was imminent and a transfer to Dortmund is now on the cards, ending the speculation as the Blues now need to focus on other targets.
football.london understood that Chelsea have held a long interest in the German star. He was scouted six years ago when Antonio Conte wanted to re-shape and re-structure the defence in SW6 but he at the time, preferred a move to the Bavarians from Hoffenheim.
But it is somewhat of a surprise to see the defendermove between the two German giants, with it being reported earlier on Monday that Ralf Rangnick's side were in the driving seat to land his signature come the end of the season.
However, Dortmund had other ideas as they were desperate to add someone with proven Bundesliga and leadership experience to a leaky backline that conceded five goals at the weekend against Kai Havertz's former club Bayer Leverkusen.
The current second-placed side in the German top flight confirmed the news with their social media club statement: 'Borussia Dortmund has signed Niklas Sule for the 2022/23 season.
'The defender is currently still a member of FC Bayern Munich and will join Borussia Dortmund when his contract expires in the Summer of 2022.'
The news has caused a mixed reaction in the west London fanbase, with some thinking that Marina Granovskaia had dodged a bullet in this scenario, whilst others were sad that manager Thomas Tuchel wasn't going to get a player that he holds in high regard.
Nevertheless, all the talk ahead of the summer regarding this situation can be put to bed as both the Premier League clubs focus on other targets at centre-half with Tuchel pinpointing Jules Kounde as one player that needs to be signed in the off season if the European Champions are to improve on whatever they achieve this term.
Sule though will now be focused on ending his Bayern career on the right foot before ditching them for their main rivals in a few months- something that worries Manuel Neuer who labelled the 26-year-old as the corner stone of Julian Nagelsmann's defensive structure.
“It bugs us all that Niklas is leaving,” the vastly experienced goalkeeper said to German outlet Abendzeitung. “It’s a pity, of course, that such a cornerstone in the defense breaks away.
"It annoys us all. We will miss him.”
