German international set for Bundesliga return

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross has decided to join Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund this summer, according to Florian Plettenberg, who Football Park ranks as a tier one source.

After seven years on the south coast, Gross has decided to make a long awaited return to his home nation with the Seagulls now in negotiations with Dortmund over a transfer fee. It is expected that the move will cost the German club around £7.6 million.

Eintracht Frankfurt were also interested in signing the 33-year-old, however the player has made it clear that his preference is to move to die Schwarzgelben.

🚨⚫️🟡 Exclusive | Total verbal agreement between Borussia Dortmund and Pascal #Groß have been reached now!

▫️Groß has 100 % decided to join #BVB next season as Ricken, Kehl and Mislintat have convinced him. The final decision was made now. Eintracht and Brighton informed ✔️… pic.twitter.com/A3NW1kNsMJ

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 6, 2024

Why is Pascal Gross so good?

During his time in England, Gross has been one of Brighton’s most consistent performers in a period of huge improvement for the club. When the midfielder joined in 2017, the club had just been promoted from the Championship and finished a lowly 15th in Gross’ debut Premier League season. Fast forward seven years and the Seagulls have never been in a better place. In 2022/23, the club qualified for Europe for the first time in their history, finishing the league campaign in sixth. Despite a poor past season, Brighton have consistently finished in the top half of the table in the past five years and hold one of the best scouting networks in world football. As a result of this, the club is one of football’s best run clubs, often buying low and selling extremely high.

Over the past couple of seasons, Gross has dramatically improved his goal involvements. In the 2022/23 season, the midfielder contributed to an impressive 17 league goals and followed that up with a total of 14 last season. This impressive form has earned the 33-year-old a call up to the German international side who he represented at the 2024 European Championships.

Dreams do come true ✨

Congratulations to Pascal Gross who received a first official #DFB call-up! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VJkx3B0aHQ

— German Football (@DFB_Team_EN) September 2, 2023