Borussia Dortmund is known for its prudent financial approach, but this summer’s transfer window has left fans frustrated. The reason? The club has just invested €11 million… in a new kitchen at Signal Iduna Park.

Modest transfer summer in Dortmund

BVB’s summer signings have been unusually quiet. So far, the team’s biggest reinforcement is 19-year-old Jobe Bellingham, signed from AFC Sunderland for €30.5 million. In addition, the club brought in experienced goalkeeper Patrick Drewes and secured the permanent transfers of two players who were on loan last season – Yan Couto and Daniel Svensson.

Sporting director Sebastian Kehl and youth department head Lars Ricken have a maximum transfer budget of €40 million. Compared to their rivals, this is not much – FC Bayern spent almost twice that amount on Luis Díaz alone. Despite qualifying again for the Champions League and earning solid revenue from the Club World Cup, Borussia still has to limit spending.

As revealed by Sport Bild, part of the club’s reserves was consumed by an investment that has little to do with football. Around a year ago, a labor inspection deemed Signal Iduna Park’s kitchen facilities outdated and unfit for use. A complete replacement was necessary. The cost of the upgrade? An incredible €11 million.

⚫️ HERE WE GO! Official, confirmed. The new striker, nicknamed “German-Kitchen,” joins Borussia Dortmund on a €11 M deal!!

— Rezzzy45 (@rezzzy45) May 9, 2025

Fans react with mockery

News of the €11 million kitchen quickly spread on social media, sparking a wave of jokes and sarcasm. The new catering facilities were humorously added to BVB’s summer signings list, and Kehl was dubbed master chef. One user commented: Guys, better a whole kitchen for €11 million than just a fridge for €12 million, illustrating the post with a photo of Niklas Süle.

The centre-back, who joined Dortmund from Bayern in 2022, is one of the club’s highest-paid players, earning €12 million a year, yet he has never fully met expectations. His case reflects a broader issue – Borussia has been unable to offload several highly paid players to ease the wage bill.

Watzke remains calm

CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is downplaying concerns, insisting that a quiet transfer summer is no reason to panic. I’m relaxed because I more or less know what our sporting management has in mind. But you don’t have to follow every craze, he told Sky Sport and Sport1.

Last year, we made transfers relatively early, created huge euphoria, and then everything fell apart. Maybe it’s actually good to start the season without such huge euphoria, he added, referring to the previous season.