Details of Dortmund's buyback clause for Rothe emerge

When Borussia Dortmund sold Tom Rothe to Union Berlin for a reported €5 million last summer, they secured a buy-back option for the left-back, according to Sport Bild.

An article in the latest edition of the German football magazine claims that the Black and Yellows can bring Rothe back for a fee of between €12 and €18 million, depending on his playing time.

Borussia Dortmund will not be able to activate the clause until the summer of 2026 at the earliest - and should they do so then, they would have to put a maximum of €14 million on the table, according to the report.

Therefore, it would not be until 2027 or later that Union would be in a position to receive the maximum fee of €18 million.

In addition, BVB have secured a matching right for the player, as per the report. This means that Union must inform Dortmund if a third club make an offer for the player. The Black and Yellows would then have the opportunity to match the bidder's offer.

Rothe, 20, has made a fine start to life at Union, scoring two goals and providing an assist in his first seven appearances for the capital club.