Transfer dealings between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund aren’t just one-way, you know.
Sure, the German champions might have signed Robert Lewandowski, Mario Götze and Mats Hummels from their nearest rivals, but it turns out players are allowed to move in the opposite direction too.
The latest to do so is Sebastian Rode, with the German under-21 international linking up with Thomas Tuchel’s side in a deal worth a reported £11.8m.
Borussia Dortmund sign Sebastian Rode. https://t.co/uGDEltU8Zf pic.twitter.com/bP4Esfrpiy
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) June 6, 2016
While Rode may well prove to be a great acquisition and an ideal replacement for İlkay Gündoğan, who has joined Manchester City, Bayern fans (and others) couldn’t help drawing attention to the Rode-Hummels trade-off.
There’s certainly a sense of deja vu after the earlier deals, and Bayern are hardly short of midfield talent with the likes of Arturo Vidal, Javi Martinez and Thiago on their books.
Rode has made more than 50 appearances for the club since arriving from Eintract Frankfurt on a free transfer in the summer of 2014.
Hummels for Rode 😜 https://t.co/OHH5npk2sy
— Dan (@Dan_FC9) June 6, 2016
So they took hummels our captain from us and we took Sebastian rode their cm that warms bench cos of the weather gosh 😩😩😩
— BaBaYeGa(火影) 🇺🇸🇳🇬 (@ADMajiri_ofo) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/iam_Klint/status/739869311863508992
Bayern Signed Hummels and gave BVB Rode !!! Is that fair ? Rode could be a hit at BVB tho .. Wish him well ..
— HOY (@McPapillo) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/marathonbet/status/739830949748350976
But there were a number of positive comments about Dortmund’s business, after the club added Rode to a growing list of new recruits which already includes Mikel Merino, Ousmane Dembélé and Marc Bartra.
https://twitter.com/xristoui/status/739867099129077760
Dortmund lost Hummels and Gundogan, and have bought Rode and Batra in already. Although they're aren't as good, this is positive from them👏👍
— Dein (@NIOLDEIN97) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/GianfrancoVela/status/739851207372480512