According to The Pitch Prospect, Borussia Dortmund are upset by Chelsea’s decision to withdraw Aaron Anselmino from his loan deal.
The 20-year-old moved to the Bundesliga giants in August for the 2025/26 season, albeit on a contract that included an exit clause.
Chelsea, who are already in the transfer market to sign a centre-back this month, have now further strengthened their defensive ranks.
The Blues held contract rights to both Anselmino and Mamadou Sarr, who is currently on loan at sister club Strasbourg.
However, Liam Rosenior’s first deal of his Stamford Bridge era will be to bring Anselmino back in place of his former Ligue 1 player.
Reports in Germany, believed to be accurate by The Pitch Prospect, initially indicated that Dortmund are furious at Chelsea’s decision to exercise their option now, with just a week left until the end of the window.
The Bundesliga giants were surprised by the Blues’ decision as the club gave no signals in the weeks before terminating his loan deal.
Chelsea recall Aaron Anselmino
A clear statement from Dortmund said: “Borussia Dortmund regrets the sudden departure of Anselmino and thanks him for his contribution over the last few months.
“The club wishes the Argentine all the best for the future.”
The Argentina youth international has only played two competitive minutes for Chelsea since his arrival in January 2025.
Anselmino, a £15.6m signing from Boca Juniors, made his Blues debut in the Club World Cup round of 16 win over Benfica.
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The 20-year-old, who has yet to graduate from the Premier League, moved to Germany last summer and began to impress in Dortmund.
He played ten games across all competitions, scored one goal in the league and provided an assist in the Champions League.
Injuries reduced his playing time at the Westfalenstadion, but Anselmino only returned from the bench on Saturday.
Dortmund’s number 28 came on as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Union Berlin, cementing the club’s second place in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac announced at the start of the season that he expected his loan star to stay until the end of the season.
“Aaron is doing really well. You can rely on the young man from the first to the last minute,” he said at the end of November.
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“A great boy, a great defender. He doesn’t let anything get away with him. Everything is sorted out with Chelsea.”
“I expect him to remain our player until the end of the season. He gets the minutes he didn’t have at Chelsea.”
Weeks later, Dortmund publicly stated their desire to extend Anselmino’s stay beyond the end of the current season.
“I have to pick up the phone in the next few days and will definitely call,” said sports director Sebastian Kehl after Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
“We obviously hope that Aaron stays. We have a very good connection with Chelsea.”
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Chelsea ignored Anselmino’s recall advice
European football expert Andy Brassell had urged Chelsea not to terminate Anselmino’s loan in order not to damage his development.
“In the long term I really see him working in the Premier League,” he told The Pitch Prospect.com exclusively last month.
“So I think Chelsea, and maybe him depending on how he feels about it, just need to be a little patient here.”
“I think if they keep him in Dortmund he will probably play 15 more games until the end of the season.”
“Given that he is a young man with relatively little experience at the highest level, I think this is a great opportunity for him.”
“And being surrounded by a coaching team that values physical effort and discipline and covering every blade of grass, which Niko Kovac and his people are, I think would be a huge advantage for him.”
“So Chelsea could obviously call it off. I’m not sure that’s hugely beneficial for the player.”