Ruhr Nachrichten reports Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac is pushing for the club to sign a defensive midfielder this summer. 

Traditionally known as a number six in Germany, none of Dortmund’s current set of midfielders- Emre Can, Felix Nmecha, Pascal Groß and Marcel Sabitzer fit the type of profile that the Croatian is looking for. 

Internally, Kovac is pushing for die Schwarzgelben to sign a more traditional defensive midfielder, but the bosses at the club are refusing as they have set other priorities. 

Dortmund are looking to sign a winger, with Johan Bakayoko linked; however, he has begun to attract interest from Bayer Leverkusen. Whilst they also wish to sign a number 10, with the target being Carney Chukwuemeka.

The aim is to extend Chukwuemeka’s loan for another season with a reduced buy option of €20-25m. A potential hurdle is the 20-year-old’s high salary, as it would require Chelsea to cover a percentage of it. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan