Dortmund revive pursuit of Polish wonderkid Marcel Reguła after summer collapse

Borussia Dortmund have officially revived their pursuit of Marcel Reguła ahead of the upcoming winter transfer window. A summer move for the 19-year-old midfielder from Zagłębie Lubin collapsed at the eleventh hour on deadline day in 2026 due to financial constraints at the German club.

Despite past hurdles, the Polish starlet remains a priority target thanks to his impressive output. After racking up five goals and five assists last season, Reguła has maintained his fine form with two goals in nine appearances this term.

Why the summer 2026 move collapsed at the eleventh hour

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to €30m summer signing Giannis Konstantelias forced Dortmund into an emergency loan move for Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri. This stop-gap signing completely drained the remaining transfer budget of the Ruhr valley outfit.

To make matters worse, Zagłębie Lubin made a late demand for an extra €1m. Coupled with Dortmund's low wage offer to Reguła, the deal collapsed just before the transfer window slammed shut.

The revival plan: What Dortmund need to seal the deal

Sporting director Ole Book has admitted Dortmund lack squad depth, particularly on the flanks following Julian Ryerson's injury. Marcel Reguła's versatility—capable of playing as a winger, attacking midfielder, or second striker—makes him the perfect fit for the second half of the campaign.

However, Dortmund must offload players to free up wage space before bringing in new faces. Alternatively, the deal could be triggered immediately if Arsenal decide to recall Ethan Nwaneri this winter.

The writer's verdict

Dortmund's determination to revive the deal shows how highly the club's hierarchy rate Marcel Reguła's potential. The Bundesliga is renowned as a launchpad for young talent, and this would be a golden opportunity for the Polish midfielder to announce himself on the European stage.

Will the 19-year-old Polish prodigy prove to be the perfect piece of the puzzle to propel Dortmund forward in the second half of the season?