Borussia Dortmund Targets Giovanni Baroni in Youth Revolution

Borussia Dortmund’s youth revolution shows no sign of slowing. Having already dipped into South America for Justin Lerma and Kauã Prates, the club are now circling another teenage talent from the continent: Giovanni Baroni.

The 17-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder has drawn interest from Chelsea and Fiorentina, and now BVB have stepped into the frame, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. Baroni, who already holds an Italian passport, carries a reported €25m release clause. Di Marzio reports that the figure could drop to around €15m plus bonuses – a very different conversation for any club betting big on potential.

Dortmund double down on the future

This is not a one-off punt. Dortmund’s summer has been shaped by a clear, aggressive plan to lock in the next generation early.

Deals for Lerma and Prates were wrapped up in advance for €4m and €7m respectively, with both only allowed to join once they turned 18. The message was obvious: get in before the rest of Europe wakes up.

The arrival of Ole Book as sporting director has only sharpened that focus. One of his first major moves was the signing of RB Salzburg defender Joane Gadou for €19.5m, a substantial fee for a player still in the development phase but perfectly in line with Dortmund’s long-standing model – identify, invest, then trust.

Evidence of that trust was already on the pitch at the end of last season. Samuele Inácio and Luca Reggiani featured prominently in the run-in, underlining that these are not just balance-sheet projects. They are players the club expects to carry weight in the coming years.

Now Baroni has entered that same conversation. If Dortmund decide to push past Chelsea and Fiorentina and trigger a deal at the reduced price, it would be another bold swing at the South American market – and another clear statement that the next Dortmund side is being built today, not tomorrow.