Paris Saint-Germain’s decision to sell Joane Gadou for €10m in the summer of 2024 is beginning to look increasingly costly, with the 19-year-old now established as a key defender for Borussia Dortmund.
The France-born defender of Ivorian origin has made a rapid rise since leaving the club, developing into the type of player Paris Saint-Germain could now use in central defence. His progress has become particularly notable as PSG continue to search for greater depth behind Marquinhos and Willian Pacho.
The Parisian club again tried to strengthen that position this summer, but failed to secure the desired addition. Luis Enrique has instead had Lucas Hernandez, Illya Zabarnyi and Lucas Beraldo available to support his defensive options.
Gadou’s decision to leave PSG
According to Bild, Paris Saint-Germain’s frustration is heightened by the fact that Gadou already fitted the profile the club now needs.
At the time of his departure, the teenager believed regular first-team football would be difficult to secure because of competition from Marquinhos and Pacho. He wanted to reach the highest level quickly and concluded that leaving Paris would offer the best route for his development.
That judgement has so far been justified. Gadou enjoyed a convincing first season with RB Leipzig, performances which attracted Borussia Dortmund. The German club subsequently paid close to €20m to sign him.
His transfer has therefore seen his value double in the space of a year. PSG sold him for €10m, while Dortmund were prepared to invest almost twice that amount after his progress at Leipzig.
A regular starter in the Bundesliga
Dortmund’s decision already appears to be paying off. Gadou has become an indispensable member of the club’s defence and has started every Bundesliga match since the beginning of the season.
His consistent involvement has confirmed the confidence placed in him and turned what was initially a promising move into a significant step in his development. He has also been named among the candidates for the Golden Boy award, underlining the speed of his emergence.
The timing of that breakthrough is particularly uncomfortable for PSG. The club is looking for a central defender capable of challenging Marquinhos and Pacho, precisely the role Gadou might have been able to fill had he remained in Paris.
By allowing him to leave for €10m, PSG lost not only a highly rated product of their academy but also a player whose current qualities match their defensive requirements. Two years after his departure, Gadou is leading Dortmund’s back line, leaving the French club to reflect on whether it gave up on him too soon.
Borussia Dortmund will soon play their fifth Bundesliga match of the season against Werder. The listed odds are 1.30 for a Dortmund win, 5.90 for a draw and 8.00 for a Werder victory.
