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Dortmund’s Tuchel rules out January move for Zelalem

GedionZelalemArsenal1-MonacoEmiratesCup (Getty)

It looks like American midfielder Gedion Zelalem is staying put at Arsenal this month.

Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel told ESPN that the team is not interested in Zelalem, or anyone else during the January window.

“Right now? No. Not as far as I’m concerned,” he told ESPN.

“I don’t think that we add somebody [in January],” Tuchel added. “We had a lot of new players and it all takes time [to settle]. Even the German guys, who have a lot of experience, you have to admit that it took its time for them [to settle]. Every change in a club takes time.

The 19-year-old was linked to Dortmund earlier in the week as he searches for playing time. Zelalem has earned just 17 minutes for Arsenal in all competitions so far this season.

The U.S. Under-20 international played in 21 games for Scottish giants Rangers last season, but has been unable to crack the first team with the Gunners.

Comments

  1. Duh. This was never happening. Not sure why any reputable sites ran with this rumor. It never made any sense from BVB’s side and never included any BVB sources.

    Reply
  2. I believe his contract is up this Summer so if BvB are interested makes sense to wait and sign him with no transfer fee. Perhaps the club was expecting some offers on some of their midfielders that didn’t come so they no longer had room for GZ at this time.

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    • Doesn’t the Boseman Rule take effect within 6 months? If thats the case then wouldn’t they be able to make the deal now? Or is his contract not up until after June? Or am I completely wrong…

      Reply
      • His contract expires in June. Also the Boseman Ruling only allows you to neotiate your deal 6 months in advance he wouldn’t actually be able to move until the contract expired unless Arsenal ok’d it.

        Transfer season is all a game, who knows how close they really were or if it was just all rumor to drive price or interest.

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