As reported by SportBild, Andre Schurrle will return to Borussia Dortmund this summer as Spartak Moscow have chosen not to exercise his buyout clause worth €7 million. The club’s sporting director Thomas Zorn said in a statement, “It is correct. We have agreed with Andre not to use the contractually agreed purchase option. But Andre is an outstanding footballer who has enriched our young team with his experience.”
Schurrle’s struggles at Spartak Moscow
Schurrle joined Spartak Moscow last summer, in a season-long loan deal from Borussia Dortmund. It was a bizarre yet an expected move given the player’s chronic downfall following his initial transfer to Dortmund in 2016. In fact, the ex-Chelsea star also joined Fulham on loan during the 2018/19 campaign.
While Schurrle enjoyed a mixed time at the Craven Cottage, one might have expected the German to impress in the Russian Premier Liga. But that didn’t turn out to be the case as the attacker struggled with a lack of productivity throughout the 2019/20 campaign. As a matter of fact, he has last scored in the league back in August of last year, in a 3-1 win over Akhmat Grozny.
In a total of 13 league matches, Schurrle has scored just one goal and registered two assists. His lack of end product hasn’t helped Spartak who are currently dawdling in mid-table.
Does Schurrle have any future at Borussia Dortmund?
Borussia Dortmund, collectively, have improved a lot under Lucien Favre. They now boast the services of genuinely talented individuals, who have helped them compete for the Bundesliga titles in recent years. And even though star player Jadon Sancho has been linked with a move to England, Schurrle is unlikely to be considered in the first-team next season.
The Black and Yellows might even try to offload him as soon as he returns to Signal Iduna Park for multiple reasons. Firstly, there is no place for him in the squad, with the club already boasting the services of players like Raphael Guerreiro, Julian Brandt and Thorgan Hazard.
But more importantly, his contract runs out at the end of next season, meaning this could be an ideal time for Dortmund to cash in as they look to get the financial boost from his potential sale.
Is he still quality enough for the Premier League?
Despite his waning reputation, Schurrle has never actually disappointed in the Premier League. However, history might not repeat himself this time around. The German has already looked off-colour even in the Bundesliga. He has struggled in dealing with the high press and with football constantly evolving; it seems like Schurrle’s time has come to an end.
