Sebastian Kehl shifted uncomfortably in his chair for what felt like the hundredth time that day, trying his best to mask his displeasure from his colleagues. The recruitment room remained unchanged from the previous year, still furnished with those insufferable chairs they'd acquired last January—a purchase he'd questioned even then. Across the table, Michael Zorc's pained expression mirrored his own discomfort, a shared understanding passing between the two veterans of countless transfer windows.
Dreadful, the things were
Unlike the lavish surroundings of Manchester City's Etihad Campus or Real Madrid's palatial offices, Dortmund's recruitment room maintained a certain spartanism that reflected their philosophical approach to football. The walls were adorned with photos of their greatest success stories: Lewandowski arriving as an unknown from Lech Poznań, Aubameyang's transformation into a world-class striker, Sancho's journey from City youth player to €85 million man, and now, most recently, Luka Zorić's meteoric rise.
Not unlike any other top tier club, Dortmund's seasonal schedule was packed with recruitment meetings. Likely the reason he found them so overly arduous Kehl figured. However, the January transfer window was largely different. To Kehl, it was the embodiment of what he'd imagine hell to be.
To everyone at Dortmund, unknowns were unwarranted, when it came to players even more so.
Having the luxury of betting on a player to perform as entirely expected should only come about as a result of an adept knowledge base of said player. It was an ingrained philosophy within their transfer strategy.
Before buying any player they wanted - needed to know everything about them. How they played, their hobbies, where they slept, hell even what colour toothbrush they used.
The reason for that was simple. Their finances.
Kehl remembered the days when Dortmund competed differently, when they tried to match the financial muscle of Bayern Munich. The 2011-2013 era under Klopp had been glorious but ultimately unsustainable. The subsequent years taught them harsh lessons about financial reality in modern football.
They'd watched Leicester City's miracle in 2016 with keen interest. Not just the title win, but the recruitment strategy behind it: N'Golo Kanté for €8 million, Riyad Mahrez for a mere €450,000. It reminded Kehl of their own success stories. But while Leicester struggled to maintain their momentum after losing their stars, Dortmund had turned player development into a sustainable model.
The numbers danced through Kehl's head: Pulisic, brought in for free, sold for €64 million. Sancho, bought for €8 million, sold for €85 million. Dembélé, €15 million to €140 million. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, €13 million to €63 million. And unbeknowst to outsiders, Haaland, €20 million to €70 million. Though they were hoping for a far more substantial figure from Manchester City.
Even accounting for Raiola's exorbitant agent fees, the profits were staggering. Each sale strengthened their financial foundation, allowing them to reinvest in the next generation of talent.
They had their earlier doubts about the sustainability of their strategy, but the astronomic figures in the deal for Dembélé quickly cleared any doubts
All hands were on deck.
Their scouting network had evolved dramatically. It needed to. No longer content with traditional markets, they needed partnerships with clubs across Eastern Europe, South America, and even Southeast Asia. So, they scoured Europe, identifying new scouts and recruitment analyst. Became senior affiliates to lower reputed teams throughout Europe allowing them to gain insight into regions where they had a glaring lack of scouting knowledge. It was through this process that Luka Zoric was found.
Kehl's mind drifted to that fateful scouting report from Manchester. After the Sancho deal, they'd cheekily placed additional scouts in United's backyard. Some board members had pushed for it, their eyes gleaming at the prospect of another English talent. Instead, they'd found a Croatian kid whose match statistics were underwhelming but whose training performances had their scouts writing novels.
He was an unknown, but a welcoming one.
And with days of extensively "friendly" spying they'd come to understand his capabilities. The hinderance to his in game performances? They'd chalked it up to a lack of proper game intelligence, even so, that could easily be solved.
He remembered making that call to Luka, the tremor in the young player's voice. It reminded him of his own transfer to Dortmund as a player, that mixture of excitement and terror at such a life-changing moment. They'd offered Luka's family everything: accommodation, education, support structures. Not out of mere kindness, but because they'd learned from experience that a settled player was an performing player.
The initial loan deal had been contentious. United wanted €2.5 million upfront—pocket change for some clubs, but at Dortmund, every million was scrutinized. They'd opted for the loan with a €3 million option, a decision that now made some board members wince. They'd planned to sign him on a free transfer, letting him develop with the U23s first. Instead, Luka had exploded onto the scene like a supernova.
To make things worse Luka had decided to sign with Jorge Mendes' agency. Speaking by analogy; they had the enchanted golden apple in hand, not realizing they had stepped on the pressure plate.
Jorge was no Raiola, that they could be thankful for. That man was human greed itself and he was not speaking figuratively.
Now they sat here, discussing Cole Palmer of all people. Luka's suggestion had merit—Palmer possessed that raw talent Dortmund craved, that ability to change games in transition. But the landscape had shifted. City wasn't the same seller they'd been with Sancho. With their Abu Dhabi backing meant they could resist almost any offer.
Coupled with Dortmund's keen trait of identifying undervalued but talented players. Parent clubs tended to suddenly begin seeing the value in players that Dortmund targeted.
"Kehl." Watzke's voice cut through his reverie. The CEO's forehead showed the familiar stress lines that appeared during every transfer window.
"Kehl." The second call pulled him further from his thoughts. He glanced around the room, noting the expectant faces of his colleagues.
"KEHL." The third time snapped him fully back to the present. He met Watzke's gaze, offering an apologetic smile.
"Ah, my apologies. I was lost in my thoughts for a moment."
Watzke sighed, the veins in his forehead prominent under the fluorescent lighting. "Try not to, Sebastian. What we're speaking about isn't a small matter."
Kehl gathered his thoughts, considering Palmer's potential role. "Right," he began, "we've taken a closer look at how exactly Palmer would fit in with our current squad. He would certainly be a useful player, but merely a squad option..." He paused, shuffling through the scouting reports spread before him. The room's fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across the papers, each one filled with detailed analyses of Palmer's performances for City's U21s.
"Our scouts have been tracking him since his breakthrough in the FA Youth Cup. Technical ability beyond his years, excellent spatial awareness, and that raw creativity we often look for. There's merit in pursuing this, especially given his versatility across the front line and in midfield. The kind of player who could develop into something special under our system."
Carsten Cramer, Dortmund's Managing Director, leaned forward in his chair, his expression skeptical. "And City's position?"
Kehl exchanged a knowing look with Watzke before responding. "As expected, they're being difficult. The opening figure they've floated..." He let out a dry laugh. "Forty-five million euros. It's their way of saying 'hands off' without actually saying it."
"Ridiculous," Michael Zorc muttered, shaking his head. The former Sporting Director, now serving as an advisor, had seen enough transfer windows to recognize a dead end. "They're still smarting from the Sancho deal."
Lars Ricken, who had remained silent until now, cleared his throat. "With our current transfer budget sitting at five million, a loan was always the only realistic option. But surely there are other targets? More established players who might be available?"
"In January? With our budget constraints?" Kehl countered, spreading his hands. "The market is tight. Everyone knows we're looking, but nobody's willing to let their quality players go mid-season without premium compensation."
The room fell into contemplative silence. The gentle hum of the heating system seemed to grow louder in the quiet, a mechanical accompaniment to their collective thoughts.
"A loan with an option to buy?" Watzke suggested, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
Kehl shook his head. "City won't accept anything less than forty million for the option, if they'd even consider it. And Palmer himself..." He trailed off, flipping through another report. "Our sources suggest he's not looking for a permanent move yet. He believes he can break through at City."
"So we'd be looking at a straight loan," Cramer concluded, drumming his fingers on the table. "Six months to appease—" He caught himself, but the unspoken name hung in the air. Luka Zorić. They all knew this entire discussion stemmed from his suggestion, his unexpected intervention in their transfer strategy.
"To strengthen the squad," Kehl corrected smoothly, though everyone in the room understood the subtext. "Palmer has potential, yes, but we have to be realistic about what this would be: a short-term solution that might not even materialize given City's stance."
Zorc leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Remember when we could actually surprise the market? We've done it before. Now?" He gestured vaguely. "Every club with money has an army of analysts. The hidden gems aren't hidden anymore, they're just priced out of our range."
"We could try structuring the loan with performance-based fees," Ricken suggested, though his tone lacked conviction. "Show City we're serious about development."
"They don't need our money," Watzke replied flatly. "And they certainly don't need us to develop their players. Not after Sancho."
The irony wasn't lost on any of them. Their success with young players had made it harder to acquire new ones. Every major club now knew exactly what a Dortmund move could do for a player's value. It was both a blessing and a curse.
"So what do we tell Luka?" Cramer asked, finally addressing the elephant in the room.
Kehl ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation. They needed to keep Zorić happy, but they couldn't let a player—even one as talented as he was—dictate their transfer policy. Yet his suggestion wasn't without merit. Palmer did fit their profile. In another market, under different circumstances...
"We tell him we'll try," Kehl said finally. "We'll make an approach for a loan, but we're not going to compromise our financial structure. Not even for Cole Palmer."
The unspoken agreement settled over the room: they would go through the motions, make the calls, perhaps even submit a formal loan offer. But they all knew it was more about the gesture than the outcome. Sometimes in football, like in politics, the appearance of action was as important as action itself.
Sebastian Kehl sat back in his chair, finally exhaling the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The meeting had been long and somewhat circular, as January transfer discussions often were.
He glanced at the time, rubbing his temples as the tension of the room began to dissipate. Around the table, the senior staff exchanged murmurs, some leaning over their laptops to review the remaining transfer priorities. It felt like the collective mind was moving on, easing back into the humdrum rhythm of administrative duty.
Until someone spoke up.
"Hey, uh… it's starting," a younger scout at the corner of the table said, pointing to the screen mounted on the wall. His tone carried just enough urgency to draw everyone's attention.
The monitor flickered to life, drawing all eyes in the room toward its glow. The familiar Champions League anthem began to play, its majestic notes filling the recruitment room with an almost reverent atmosphere. Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA's Deputy General Secretary, appeared on screen, his pristine suit and characteristic silver hair a familiar sight to anyone who had watched these draws before.
"A warm welcome to the House of European Football in Nyon," Marchetti began, his Italian-accented English carrying the gravitas of tradition. "Today we conduct the draw for the Round of 16 of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League. As always, we are joined by special guests..."
Kehl crossed his arms as he watched. These ceremonies always felt like theater, but it was theater that mattered. Dortmund's representative, suited and professional, was seated among the other dignitaries, a somber expression masking what Kehl assumed was a simmering nervous energy.
The camera panned over the attendees in Nyon, Switzerland, showcasing familiar faces: club directors, managers, scouts, all waiting for their fates to be decided.
Kehl felt a pang of something close to pride as Dortmund's name appeared briefly on the screen, their yellow and black crest displayed alongside the other sixteen remaining clubs. No matter how often they made it to this stage, it never felt like a given. This was a competition they had to fight tooth and nail to remain part of.
The preliminary formalities continued as Marchetti explained the draw procedures: "The eight group winners will be drawn against the eight runners-up. Teams from the same national association cannot be drawn against each other, nor can teams who faced each other in the group stage..."
On the screen, the highlights reel began to play. The anticipation in the room became almost tangible as the best moments of the group stage unfolded before them. First came Bayern's dominant performances, Lewandowski's clinical finishing on full display. Then Liverpool's perfect group stage, punctuated by Salah's breathtaking solo effort against Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. dancing past defenders. PSG followed, their superstar trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé dazzling with moments of individual brilliance. Each clip accompanied by dramatic music and the roar of crowds, the very essence of Champions League nights distilled into quick cuts and slow-motion replays.
Kehl's focus, however, sharpened as the highlights turned to Dortmund's group stage journey. It was bittersweet to watch. They'd started strong but faltered in the middle, leaving their qualification hopes hinging on a final match against Sporting. And then, there it was.
The screen flickered to show the game in Lisbon, the match that had ultimately defined their group stage campaign. The stakes had been clear: win, or watch the Round of 16 from home.
The camera lingered on the Yellow Wall, that massive southern terrace of the Signal Iduna Park, before cutting to the match.
The footage slowed, the camera tracking Marco Reus as he received the ball in midfield. The replay angle shifted to a wide shot, capturing the entire final third as Reus threaded a pass toward Zorić. The ball wasn't perfect, slightly behind the Croatian's run, but what followed was pure artistry.
The replay director knew exactly how to frame it, cutting between angles to maximize the impact.
The commentator's voice carried through the room, layering drama onto the scene. "Borussia Dortmund need a goal here. Time is running out, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Reus... threading it through..."
The video slowed as the ball rolled into Luka Zorić's path, the pass slightly off, forcing him to adjust his stride. The clip zoomed in as Luka trapped the ball with an elegant touch, his left foot planting firmly to stabilize his balance. Even from the footage, the rawness of the moment came through. You could see João Palhinha charging in, intent on muscling Luka off the ball.
"He's under pressure here, Palhinha closing down—what can Zorić do?"
The clip cut to a tighter angle as Luka feinted left, his body weight shifting convincingly enough to freeze Palhinha for half a second. Then, with a sharp pivot, he rolled the ball to his right and darted into the narrowest of spaces between two Sporting players.
"Brilliant footwork from Zorić! He's creating something out of nothing here!"
The editing emphasized the quick succession of moves, capturing every feint and turn in sharp focus. Sebastián Coates appeared in the frame, his towering figure stepping up to challenge Luka. The Uruguayan lunged, and the camera caught the moment Luka pulled off his sharp stop. Coates lost his balance, and Luka exploited the split-second opening.
"Coates is beaten! Luka Zorić is weaving through this Sporting defense like a needle through thread!"
The nutmeg on Coates was slowed down for effect, the ball slipping between the defender's legs. Gasps from the audience were audible even in the edited footage.
The next sequence played out in quick cuts: Matheus Nunes rushing to cover, Luka faking a shot, the defender lunging to block air. The camera then zoomed out as Luka found himself with the tiniest pocket of space inside the box. The Sporting defense scrambled, shouts audible in the chaos, but Luka didn't hesitate.
From behind the goal, the camera followed the ball's trajectory as it left Zorić's foot, curling away from Adán's desperate reach before nestling in the top corner. The net rippled in slow motion, the stadium erupting as the ball crossed the line. The director cut to the Yellow Wall again, thousands of fans leaping in unison, then back to Zorić being mobbed by his teammates, his face a picture of pure joy.
"Zorić... oh my word! It's in! Top corner! Luka Zorić has done it!"
The room in Dortmund's offices was silent for a moment as the clip faded.
"That kid is the reason we're even in this draw." he said, almost to himself.
Kehl nodded, his lips twitching into a small, prideful smile. But even as the draw moved on, his mind lingered on Luka's moment of brilliance. It was one thing to find a talent like that. It was another to keep him.
Marchetti, who was now standing beside the familiar glass bowls containing the draw balls filled the screen.
He adjusted the microphone clipped to his lapel and scanned the room with a smile that carried just the right charm.
"We begin with the first match of our Round of 16," Marchetti announced, his hand hovering over the first bowl containing the group winners. The camera zoomed in as he reached in, the glass spheres clicking against each other like destiny's dice.
Marchetti gestured to the UEFA official standing beside him, who reached into the bowl with an almost theatrical precision.
"Let's begin," Marchetti declared.
First Draw: Group Winners The first ball was opened with deliberate slowness, the official taking care to unfold the paper neatly. Marchetti's voice filled the room as he announced the first team.
"Manchester City."
The camera panned to the City representative, seated in a tailored suit, offering a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
Second Draw: Runners-Up The process repeated as the official reached into the second bowl to determine City's opponent.
"And their opponents…" Marchetti paused for dramatic effect. "Villarreal CF."
The room at Dortmund relaxed slightly, a collective exhale as the first potential matchup didn't involve them.
Twitter reactions began to flood in:
@EthanGomez: "Villarreal vs. Man City? Easy W for Pep. Unai better pray."
@Hannah_Rose: "City gets the easiest draw every year. Shocking. 🙄 #UCLdraw"
Match 2:"Bayern Munich will face… FC Salzburg."
@MarcoJuveFan: "Bayern vs Salzburg? RIP Salzburg. Neuer might as well stay home."
Match 3:
"Liverpool FC… versus Inter Milan."
Kehl winced. "Inter's a tough draw for anyone," he muttered.
Zorc nodded in agreement. "But Liverpool's form this season…"
@KopiteForever: "This is the one. Salah's cooking Inter alive. #YNWA"
@NerazzurriPassion: "Forza Inter!"
@MandemFromLondon: "ALRIGHTY MATE! Salah better cook this game or I'll shev em' when I see him."
Match 4:
"Real Madrid will face… SL Benfica."
Kehl arched a brow. "Interesting."
@Madridista_10: "Vinícius Jr. is going to tear Benfica apart. Trust."
By now, the tension in the recruitment room had thickened. Four teams were left in the winners' pot. Dortmund's name hadn't been drawn yet, and neither had PSG's. Kehl's hand tapped against the table, each announcement stretching the suspense further.
Match 5:
"Juventus FC… versus Ajax Amsterdam."
@AjaxFuture: "They fear us. We know they do. #UCL"
Kehl adjusted his collar, his pulse quickening. "This is going to get dicey."
Zorc leaned back, his eyes narrowing at the screen. "They're dragging it out on purpose. You know that."
Match 6:
"Chelsea FC… versus LOSC Lille."
Kehl let out a soft breath. Dortmund's turn was imminent.
@ChelseaBlue: "Back-to-back CL trophies loading. Don't care who disagrees. 💙"
@LOSC4Life: "Here's to David sinking Chelsea. 🥂"
Match 7: The Moment Marchetti approached the final draw with practiced gravitas. Two group winners remained in the bowl. Dortmund's name had yet to appear. Kehl could feel the weight of the moment settle over the room, the air thick with anticipation.
"And now…" Marchetti began, his voice steady as he reached into the bowl, pulling out the seventh ball.
The camera zoomed in as he unfolded the slip of paper.
"Paris Saint-Germain."
The camera cut to PSG's representative, their sporting director Leonardo, his expression neutral but eyes sharp with interest.
The reaction in the room was immediate. A few sharp intakes of breath. Kehl felt his stomach drop slightly, though he kept his face neutral.
@FabrizioRomano: Paris Saint-Germain drawn first - Mbappé, Messi, Neymar trio waiting for their opponent. This could be interesting... 🔥 #UCL
"And they will play against..." Marchetti moved to the second bowl, containing the runners-up. The tension in the room grew thicker with each passing second. Kehl's fingers drummed unconsciously against the table's edge.
@OptaJoe: 6 - Paris Saint-Germain have won their last 6 matches against German opposition in the Champions League. Dominant.
The ball was drawn. Marchetti took his time opening it, each movement deliberate, almost theatrical. Then his eyes scanned the paper, and Kehl felt his stomach tighten before the words were even spoken.
"Borussia Dortmund."
The room fell silent. On screen, the UEFA graphics department quickly assembled the fixture graphic: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs BORUSSIA DORTMUND.
The recruitment room erupted in a mixture of groans and sharp expletives.
"Unbelievable," Kehl muttered. "Of all the teams…"
"Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé," Zorc said flatly. "This'll be fun.
@BVBBuzzmentations: Of course it had to be PSG. Mbappé vs Zorić. The football gods have spoken. 😱 #BVB
@ConnerGreg: Dortmund it is! Time for revenge after that 2020 elimination. Different team now with Luka! He's gonna' give that turtle a right dickin'!! 🔴🔵⚪
@Ainsbury: Messi - Neymar - Mbappé. PSG. Bellingham - Zorić - Haaland. Dortmund. MNM vs BZH.
Watzke leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. This…
@ZachLowy: Fascinating draw. PSG's attack vs Dortmund's young guns. Keep an eye on Zorić - been absolutely electric in big games this season. Could be his coming-out party on the biggest stage.
The draw continued, but the tension in the room had shifted to focused discussion. Ricken was already on his phone, presumably messaging the coaching staff. Manchester United versus Atlético Madrid was the final peering.
@BlackYellow: PARIS HERE WE COME! 🐝 First leg: February 15th at Parc des Princes. Second leg: March 9th at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. #UCL #PSGBVB
@JanAageFjortoft: Just spoke to a source at Dortmund. They're actually quite confident. "We have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on PSG." Interesting mindset. #UCL
The social media team's phones were buzzing constantly now, the notifications piling up as fans and pundits worldwide reacted to the draw. But it was one particular tweet that caught Kehl's eye as someone showed him their phone:
@GaryLineker: PSG vs Dortmund. Mbappé vs Zorić. Experience vs Youth. Oil money vs tradition. Football's present vs football's future. The storylines write themselves. Can't wait for this one.
They had two months to prepare for Paris, two months to ready themselves for what would likely be the most-watched Round of 16 tie.
@MisterChip: Historical fact: The last time Dortmund faced PSG in the #UCL knockout stages (2020), they eliminated them. Past isn't always prologue, but... 👀
@XG:
Kylian Mbappé:
Total Matches Played: 28 (across major club competitions)
Goals Scored: 24 | Assists: 10
Ligue 1: Matches: 20 | Goals: 15 | Assists: 8
UEFA Champions League: Matches: 6 | Goals: 6 | Assists: 2
Coupe de France: Matches: 2 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 0
Luka Zorić:
Total Matches Played: 26 (across major club competitions)
Goals Scored: 10 | Assist: 16
Bundesliga: Matches: 19 | Goals: 7 | Assist: 10
DFB Pokal: Matches: 2 | Goals: 2 | Assist: 2
UEFA Champions League: Matches: 5 | Goals: 1 | Assist: 4
Kehl pulled out his own phone, opening his messages. He needed to speak with Rose immediately. They had a mountain to climb, but mountains were meant to be climbed. And sometimes, just sometimes, the bigger the mountain, the more spectacular the view from the top.
The draw ceremony concluded with Marchetti's formal closing statements, but in Dortmund's recruitment room, the real work was just beginning. February 15th at the Parc des Princes. The date was already seared into everyone's minds.
@Carabao: PSG vs Dortmund on Valentine's Day eve... Sorry partners, we're all watching football that night. 😂 #UCL
@MainChesterBoi: "Luka Zorić vs PSG. Kid's got no idea what he's about to face."