The 22-year-old will be sold for five times the fee Mainz paid for him just over a year ago as he looks set to replace the Greek defender
Borussia Dortmund are in “final talks” to sign Abdou Diallo from Mainz, sporting directors from both sides have confirmed.
The 22-year-old centre-back moved to Germany from Monaco for a reported €5 million last July, but Mainz are set to bank around €25m (£22m/$29m) as they near a deal with Dortmund.
The Bundesliga giants have fought off interest from Lyon to swoop in for the France Under-21 star, who will replace Arsenal-bound Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
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Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed to German newspaper Ruhrnachrichten that the teams are “in closing talks” and added that new coach Lucien Favre has been heavily involved in the transfer.
Meanwhile, Mainz chief Rouven Schroder admitted that his side are not counting on Diallo’s return to training as they begin preparations for the new season.
“Diallo will not be there at the start of the training,” he said. “We are in good talks with Borussia Dortmund, but the transfer is not perfect yet!”
Diallo is just one season into a five-year deal with Mainz and played 27 times and scored twice in the Bundesliga as his side finished 14th.
The left-footed defender made an impression in Germany with his comfort on the ball and ability to build from the back, while Schroder has hailed him as a key player who is strong in the air and in tackles.
