According to Goal.com, Sabitzer has played over 600 official professional matches, and this veteran is unlikely to be easily rattled by anything. Since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2023, the midfielder has frequently been at the center of various rumors and speculation.

In this sense, the summer transfer window is probably nothing special for Sabitzer. However, discussions surrounding the Austrian player have intensified on the eve of the transfer market closing.

This is primarily related to his form on the pitch. Sabitzer's performances have been inconsistent during his three seasons at Borussia Dortmund. There have been periods of brilliance, but they have been sporadic and rarely sustained. Overall, despite making 117 appearances in official matches, Sabitzer has lacked consistency during this time and has failed to secure a firm starting position.

Although he ended last season in that role, it was primarily due to Felix Nmecha's injury. Last season, Sabitzer made 26 starts, and his five direct goal contributions were not particularly impressive. His opportunities in central midfield and defensive midfield are limited. When Nmecha was available, Niko Kovac more often chose Jude Bellingham to partner with him.

Coupled with Sabitzer's contract expiring at the end of June 2027 and Borussia Dortmund's signing of Joey Veerman, who can play as a starter in his primary position, he naturally became a focal point of transfer speculation. In mid-August, when Borussia Dortmund held a team meeting, Sabitzer left early, even before some teammates arrived, further fueling external speculation.

Over the past two weeks, one thing has become clear: Sabitzer will remain at Borussia Dortmund at least until the winter break. Agent Rogier told Sky Sports on transfer deadline day that the player himself was "very happy" at Borussia Dortmund. Wittmann also revealed that at his current club, Sabitzer can maintain a "high level" of performance.

However, according to his agent, Sabitzer was not interested in all "ten different offers" that came his way. If a suitable offer at market value were to come in for the player with 102 caps for Austria, Borussia Dortmund would certainly consider it. But since there was no such offer, Sabitzer will continue playing at Borussia Dortmund. Wittmann pointedly said: "By next year," his client can evaluate all options on the table.

By then, Borussia Dortmund will no longer be one of those options. The club does not intend to extend Sabitzer's contract. The reason is clear: not only has he failed to fully meet expectations on a sporting level, but his salary is also very high. Sabitzer's annual salary is estimated at 8 million euros, while Bayern Munich paid 19 million euros for his transfer fee. New signings, including Veerman, Karetsas, and Constantelias, are each expected to earn no more than half of his salary.

This is a familiar and painful story for Borussia Dortmund: some players' performances do not match their high salaries, yet they continue to be paid until their contracts expire. This situation has previously occurred with Nico Süle, Serge Gnabry, Niklas Süle, and Emre Can. Who can really blame them?

The answer is simple: social media users, of course! There, Sabitzer has long been a scapegoat due to his often-inconsistent performances. Recently, the situation escalated when Sabitzer's wife, Katja, responded on social media.

Under a post sharing Wittmann's statement, a user wrote that he "really hopes to be rid of this dead weight." Sabitzer's wife, winner of the 2014 TV show "The Bachelor," retorted: "I really wonder what you have achieved in your life?" The user continued sarcastically: "I participated in 'The Bachelor,' what about you?" Mrs. Sabitzer immediately countered: "You are all too malicious. Your answer already says it all. You don't understand my life at all."

The problem with Sabitzer is that, in the eyes of many Borussia Dortmund supporters, he represents an outdated approach. He symbolizes an era of Borussia Dortmund—when the club would invest large transfer fees and high salaries in well-known, slightly older players with limited return. The fresh approach of the new management and the very active work of sporting director Ole Buch this summer have recently led to expectations that players like Sabitzer, and even Bensebaini and Emre Can, would leave.

However, it is entirely possible that this will have to wait another year. So far, it is clearly too early to say that Sabitzer is not useful to the team.

Kovac appreciates his experience, aggressive play, and versatility. This is also part of the truth: Sabitzer is a versatile central midfielder, and Borussia Dortmund's squad has recently had an overabundance of such players. His inconsistency is also related to the fact that he rarely plays continuously in the same position for extended periods.

This situation will likely continue during what could be his final year at Borussia Dortmund. With Nmecha, Bellingham, and Veerman occupying the central midfield, Sabitzer can only focus on the flanks and half-spaces, just as he does with the Austrian national team. He has also temporarily withdrawn from the national team due to excessive workload in recent years. So far, Kovac has not given him a single starting opportunity in the Bundesliga.

However, in the Champions League match against Villarreal, Sabitzer started and delivered a strong performance, showing high intensity and making several excellent tackles. Even as a substitute, his recent performances have been solid after Kovac deployed him as a "finisher." Previously against Paderborn, it was Sabitzer who provided the assist for Nmecha's bicycle kick goal.

Unless one of his competitors gets injured, Sabitzer's role as a rotation player is unlikely to change much. His best chance lies in proving himself in an attacking position—something he feels more comfortable with at Borussia Dortmund, just as he does with the Austrian national team. Since 2023, he has scored 13 goals in 31 appearances for Austria. In contrast, before joining Borussia Dortmund, he scored only 6 goals in 42 matches.

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