English Premier League
Borussia Dortmund close to sending Yan Couto to Como 1907 on loan
Borussia Dortmund are close to ending their disappointing spell with Brazilian defender Yan Couto, who is nearing a move to Italian club Como 1907 before the new season begins.
The 24-year-old right-back is expected to join Como on loan, with the Italian side set to have an option to buy him for about 20m euros, according to German newspaper Bild and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The deal is understood to be in its final stages after Dortmund and Como reached an agreement following intensive negotiations over the financial details. Talks had been at risk of collapsing at the end of July because of a disagreement about the terms, but progress in recent days has brought the transfer close to completion.
Couto joined Dortmund permanently in the summer of 2025 after the German club activated a compulsory purchase clause in his loan agreement with Manchester City. The transfer fee was 20m euros, following an initial loan spell that had cost Dortmund approximately 5m euros.
However, the Brazil international has struggled to establish himself since making the move permanent. Couto, who has won four caps for his country, has produced performances below expectations despite the significant investment made by Dortmund.
His departure would also allow the club to reduce the wage bill. Couto has been among Dortmund’s highest-paid players, earning about 5m euros per year, but his salary has not been matched by his contribution on the pitch.
The player’s market value has also fallen sharply. It stood at 25m euros in June 2024 but is now estimated at 17m euros, reflecting his decline in form and status over the past period.
Dortmund have already identified a possible replacement in Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Elias Baum. The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the leading candidates to fill the position if Couto leaves.
Dortmund sporting director Olli Bock is known to admire Baum and has worked with him previously at Elversberg. Baum spent the 2024-25 season on loan there, where he established himself as a regular starter.
Despite Dortmund’s interest, Eintracht Frankfurt do not intend to give up the young defender easily. Their coach, Adi Hutter, has publicly made clear that he wants Baum to remain with the club.
“We will keep him with us, because I see him as a lively and dynamic full-back. He is one of the graduates of the club’s academy and I am very impressed by what he is producing. He has looked extremely strong in training and continues to develop wonderfully,” Hutter said.
The proposed move to Como would give Couto an opportunity to revive his career away from Dortmund, while the German club would have the chance to move on from a costly signing who has failed to meet expectations. The Italian club’s purchase option is valued at approximately the same 20m euros Dortmund paid to secure his services permanently in 2025.
