German football's transfer folly: Why Dortmund should look closer to home
In an age when German football clubs seem ever more eager to chase foreign talent and inflate transfer fees, it is refreshing to see a manager stand his ground. Adi Hütter, the new coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, has done precisely that by slamming the door on Borussia Dortmund's pursuit of young right-back Elias Baum. The message is clear: sometimes the answer lies in your own backyard, not in a bidding war.
Hütter, after Frankfurt's 1-0 friendly win over third-division side Waldhof Mannheim, was blunt: 'He is staying here. He is a player from our own academy. And you also have to give a young player like that a chance if he has the right quality and he has.' This is the kind of pragmatic, no-nonsense thinking that has long underpinned British football's best traditions, and it is a lesson German clubs would do well to heed.
Why Dortmund's interest in Elias Baum was misguided
Dortmund's sporting director, Ole Book, had reportedly put forward the 20-year-old as a potential signing. But with Hütter's firm statement, BVB can save themselves the effort. The Bundesliga giants, like so many clubs today, seem addicted to the transfer market's siren call, overlooking the talent they could develop themselves. Baum, a product of Frankfurt's academy, had a difficult season last year, managing just 71 minutes across five competitive matches under two different managers. Yet Hütter sees potential where others saw a problem.
This is a story of loyalty and patience, values that resonate deeply with the British character. In an era of instant gratification, Hütter's commitment to a homegrown player is a quiet rebellion against the chaos of modern football's transfer circus.
Elias Baum: From loan hero to Frankfurt's forgotten man
Baum's journey is a cautionary tale of how quickly fortunes can change. After a stellar loan spell at SV Elversberg in the 2024/25 season, where he recorded three goals and eight assists in 37 appearances and helped the club secure a sensational promotion to the Bundesliga, he returned to Frankfurt expecting a breakthrough. Instead, he was sidelined by injuries and managerial changes. Under Dino Toppmöller and then Albert Riera, he barely got a look-in.
Now, under Hütter, Baum has a chance to redeem himself. In pre-season friendlies, he has started every game on the right of the back four, with Hütter praising his dynamism and directness. The Germany Under-21 international could be in the starting line-up for Frankfurt's competitive opener against SC St. Tönis in the DFB Cup on 21 August, followed by the Bundesliga opener at Union Berlin eight days later.
Could Elias Baum be a future Germany star under Jurgen Klopp?
If Baum kicks on in Frankfurt, he may not only secure his club future but also catch the eye of the national team. Jurgen Klopp, now in charge of the senior Germany side, has explicitly opened the door to newcomers. At his introductory press conference, he made clear he would look beyond established names. Baum's intense, high-energy style of play fits Klopp's philosophy perfectly. And with Germany currently lacking depth at right-back, the door is wide open.
Baum himself is confident. 'I can work the flank, going forward and backward. That is exactly what I love, that is my style of play and it suits me,' he said on Frankfurt's YouTube channel. He provided the assist for Frankfurt's winner against Mannheim, showing those qualities in action. If he continues this form, a return to the Under-21 national team for next summer's European Championship in Albania and Serbia is a realistic goal.
What this means for Borussia Dortmund and German football
Dortmund's interest in Baum was understandable given his potential, but Hütter's stance is a reminder that clubs must sometimes resist the temptation to poach from rivals. The Bundesliga, like the Premier League, is increasingly a global marketplace, but the best foundations are often built on local talent. For British readers, this story echoes the debates about homegrown players in the Premier League and the value of academy development.
In the end, Hütter's decision is not just about one player. It is a statement of principle. And in a sport increasingly driven by money and short-termism, that is something worth celebrating.