Borussia Dortmund appear to have won the three-way race to sign Stuttgart and Germany defender Waldemar Anton.
It was reported last week that the Champions League finalists are set to sign Anton from under Bayer Leverkusen’s noses, while Liverpool also showed a slight interest in signing the central-defender. And now, Anton’s next club appears to have been revealed.
Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, when asked who could replace the injured Antonio Rüdiger, DFB Sporting Director Rudi Völler said: “Many Bundesliga clubs were interested in him [Anton]. All I know is that my club, Bayer Leverkusen, would have liked him too. In the end, he ultimately decided on Borussia Dortmund.”
There was no agreement between Anton and Bayer Leverkusen, but the player was ready to be offered a lucrative contract. But since then, Borussia Dortmund have activated Anton’s reported €22.5m release clause, while Stuttgart have also been informed about his departure.
This also comes after it was confirmed that Mats Hummels would be leaving the club at the end of the season, with Anton a replacement for the 35-year-old.
Last season, Anton featured 37 times for Stuttgart in all competitions, playing a key role in the club’s long-awaited return to the Champions League. As well as this, despite not yet featuring, the 27-year-old’s performances for Stuttgart last season ensured that he forced his way into Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for Euro 2024.
