Southampton defender Armel Bella-Kotchap’s loan move to Borussia Dortmund collapsed due to the German club deciding to pursue other targets.
According to German newspaper Bild, Dortmund had agreed a deal to sign the German from the Saints, however Dortmund decided against the move and focused on getting a deal done for Werder Bremen striker Niclas Fullkrug.
Dortmund ended up signing the striker for €15 million, whilst Bella-Kotchap managed to get his king-awaited move away from St Mary’s, joining Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on loan for the season, with a loan fee of €2 million.
Bella-Kotchap denied his preferred move
Bella-Kotchap joined Southampton last summer form Bundesliga side VFL Bochum ina deal worth £8.6 million, signing a four-year-deal.
He had started out in Germany playing for many youth sides such as Borussia Monchengladbach. He then joined Bochum, helping them win Bundesliga 2 in the 20/21 season. He then spent a year at Bochum in the Bundesliga before he departed.
He has represented his nation at senior level, making his debut last year. He was also called up to the World Cuo squad in Qatar, but failed to make an appearance.
It had been previously reported that he was of interest of Dortmund and also Bayern Munich, but would be too expensive for both, according to the Express. He also reportedly has a £25 million rules was clause, which no club was willing to trigger to secure his services.
A season out playing in the Eredivisie and playing Champions League football, with PSV being put in the same group as Arsenal, should be very beneficial for Bella-Kotchap.