Borussia Dortmund Revisit Marcel Regula Transfer as Winter Option Emerges
Borussia Dortmund could revive their interest in Polish prospect Marcel Regula when the winter transfer window opens. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder was linked with a move to the Bundesliga club during the summer, but a deal did not materialise. Now, reports suggest Dortmund are considering a fresh approach—and may have an unconventional role in mind for the young talent.
According to Bild, the Black and Yellows are exploring the possibility of retraining Regula as a right-back. That would represent a significant change from his current position at Lubin, where he has played almost exclusively as a No. 10. The idea appears to be tied to a specific squad need: providing reliable cover for first-choice right-back Julian Ryerson.
Summer interest could lead to a winter transfer
Regula was reportedly among Dortmund’s leading candidates in the previous transfer window. The club’s interest intensified after new signing Giannis Konstantelias suffered a cruciate ligament injury, prompting Dortmund to consider alternatives to strengthen their attacking options. Regula was one of the young players under consideration, although the move ultimately failed to progress.
The connection between the club and the player’s representatives has apparently remained active. Bild reports that contact has “barely cooled” since the summer, while the potential deal has been described as relatively straightforward to complete. Those details do not guarantee a transfer, but they suggest Dortmund have continued to monitor the Poland youth international rather than moving on from him.
Dortmund were not the only German club interested in Regula. 1. FC Köln were also reported to be tracking the teenager, adding competition to the picture. For now, however, he remains in Poland, where his contract is understood to run until 2028. That agreement gives Lubin a degree of negotiating leverage, even if Dortmund decide to make a formal offer in January.
Dortmund’s right-back depth is part of the calculation
The proposed position change reflects a practical issue within Dortmund’s squad. Yan Couto’s summer move to Como 1907 left the club without another specialist right-back behind Ryerson. When Ryerson has been unavailable, left-back Daniel Svensson has recently been used on the opposite flank. While that solution can provide short-term cover, Dortmund may prefer to add a player who can develop into a more natural option on the right.
That context helps explain why a player known primarily for his attacking qualities could be considered for a defensive role. Modern full-backs are often expected to contribute to build-up play, carry the ball forward and support attacks, as well as defend their side of the pitch. Regula’s experience as an attacking midfielder could offer useful technical qualities, although adapting to the positioning and defensive responsibilities of a full-back would take time.
There is an important distinction between recruiting Regula as an immediate replacement for Ryerson and signing him as a development project. The reports point toward a plan to retrain the teenager, not necessarily to hand him a starting role straight away. Dortmund would need to assess his defensive awareness, one-on-one defending, recovery runs and understanding of when to join an attack. Those elements are very different from the demands placed on a central attacking midfielder.
What the reported fee could mean
A transfer fee of around €7 million is reportedly under discussion, according to Sky. For a 19-year-old with senior experience and a contract extending to 2028, that figure would represent a notable investment in potential rather than a proven Bundesliga-level right-back. The final price could depend on the structure of an offer, including possible bonuses, sell-on terms or other performance-related clauses.
From Dortmund’s perspective, the attraction may lie in securing a promising player before his value rises further. The club has regularly looked to recruit young talent with room to develop, and Regula’s age gives him time to learn a new position. But the transfer would also carry risk: success would depend on whether his attacking instincts can be matched with the discipline required in defence.
Regula’s form and the prediction for January
Regula has made a productive start to the current Polish Ekstraklasa season, scoring two goals in ten appearances. Those numbers offer a snapshot rather than a complete assessment, but they underline his involvement in the final third. Because he has featured almost entirely as a No. 10, his current statistics do not show how he might perform in a deeper or wider role.
The most cautious prediction is that Dortmund will continue evaluating the player and the feasibility of a winter deal, rather than treating the transfer as certain. The reported continuity in discussions and the club’s shortage of specialist right-back cover make the link credible. At the same time, Lubin’s contract position, interest from other clubs and the challenge of changing Regula’s role could all influence negotiations.
If Dortmund proceed, the move would be as much about long-term development as immediate squad depth. Regula could arrive as an attacking prospect tasked with learning a new position, while Ryerson remains the established first choice. Whether that experiment succeeds would depend on coaching, adaptation and how quickly the teenager can translate his technical strengths into defensive reliability.
For now, the winter transfer remains a possibility rather than a confirmed outcome. Dortmund’s reported interest suggests Regula is still firmly on their radar, and the club’s right-back situation gives the rumour a clear sporting rationale. The coming weeks should reveal whether the Black and Yellows turn that interest into a formal bid—or whether the Polish prospect stays in Lubin for the rest of the season.
