Borussia Dortmund has become a haven for a clubs looking to pick off their best talents in recent seasons.
But are they really the best side to buy from?
Arsenal are the latest club close to signing a jewel from the Dortmund crown as they take a look at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
However, the majority of recent big-name departures from the German giants has seen the levels of the players significantly drop at their new teams.
Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are among those who have added to their squad by poaching players from the Westfalenstadion.
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But, as this list will show, the form of big-name departures is very rarely maintained once the player leaves Dortmund — and, in many cases, the player ends up returning.
Nuri Sahin to Real Madrid, 2011: £9million
Sahin is youngest player ever to play and to score in the Bundesliga, and he was talked about as a future star for BVB when he he made his debut in 2005.
But, seduced by the idea of playing under Jose Mourinho, he left Dortmund for the riches of Madrid.
However, he injury problems restricted him to just four La Liga appearances in the 2011-12 and was loaned to Liverpool the following season, where he played just four times.
Sahin has now returned to Dortmund, but is a far cry from the player he had once been tipped to become
Shinji Kagawa to Manchester United, 2012: £14.4m
Was the star of the Dortmund side which won the German double under Jurgen Klopp in 2011-12.
But, having retained his services for a season despite interest from United, they finally had to give in and allow Kagawa the opportunity to the Red Devils that summer.
The Japan international showed glimpses of his quality — most famously with a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Norwich en route to a Premier League title — it just didn’t work out for him.
After just two seasons in England, he returned to Dortmund, where is still a first team regular.
Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich, 2013: £32.5m
This move sent shockwaves across Europe when it was announced, just 36 hours before the German giants were due to meet in the Champions League final, that Bayern had met Gotze’s release clause.
Inevitably, he scored in a win over his former club in the following season, but he struggled to recapture his best form in Munich.
Gotze won the 2011 Golden Boy award and considered the future of German football — but personal issues have plagued him and he soon lost his place in the team.
He returned to Dortmund in 2016, but is only playing regularly again this season.
Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich, 2014: free transfer
Pole was expected to leave alongside Gotze but Dortmund refused to let him leave.
Unlike his former — and future — team-mate, he was given a hero’s send-off after final match at the Westfalenstadion.
Lewandowski has been an undoubted success at Bayern, with more goals in fewer appearances for the Bavarians than while in Dortmund.
He famously scored five times in just under nine minutes to beat Wolfsburg 5-1.
Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich, 2016: £31m
A return to where it all began for the former Bayern academy player.
Hummels was considered one of the best defenders on the planet and was a key figure in the Dortmund backline.
Despite the arrival of Marc Bartra, they have never really recovered from his loss.
But, while he is still performing at a high level, he hasn’t necessarily “improved” in Munich.
Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester City, 2017: £24m
A player who was linked with the biggest sides in Europe for years, before he eventually left.
Gundogan was another key member of the Dortmund side which won the double in 2012 and reached the Champions League final 12 months later.
A serious knee injury cut short his debut season in the Premier League, but has not looked out of place since making the move.
Unfair to make a judgement when he hasn’t really had the chance at City.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Manchester United, 2017: £26m
The man of the moment.
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Mkhitaryan has struggled for the majority of his time at United, despite becoming one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe while at Dortmund.
Despite his flaws having come into the spotlight in recent months, it’s important to remember he scored in the Europa League final, and showed glimpses of his talent in parts.
Could recreate his sensational partnership with Aubameyang at Arsenal if both join in January.
Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona, 2017: £97m
Dortmund beat the Catalans to his signing from Rennes just 12 months earlier.
And, after continuing to impress in the Bundesliga, made him a top target — but were not expecting to have to make a move in the immediate future.
However, the departure of Neymar meant they had to act and paid whatever it took to sign Dembele.
Injuries have restricted him to just seven appearances — and 141 minutes — so it’s impossible to make a call at this stage.