In an official statement, Dortmund confirmed Weigl, 24, had put in a transfer request amid interest from the Lisbon club. “Julian came to us with this request and we granted it, partly because of all he has done for the club,” said sporting director Michael Zorc. According to Bild newspaper, Benfica could pay around 20 million euros ($22.5m) for the former Germany youth international. The defensive midfielder, who doubles up as a center-back, shot to fame after joining Dortmund from 1860 Munich as a teenager in 2015. Dortmund is hoping to launch another assault on the Bundesliga title this spring, having won the race to sign Norwegian starlet Erling Braut Haaland earlier this week.

Source: The Guardian December 31, 2019 18:21 UTC