Watzke defends Dortmund interest in Nmecha: "He's a normal guy"
Hans-Joachim Watzke has played down fears among Borussia Dortmund fans over a possible move for Wolfsburg's Felix Nmecha.
| Hans-Joachim Watzke. | Photo: Marco Verch, CC BY-SA 2.0 |
Some Borussia Dortmund fans are critical of the possible signing of Nmecha because the Germany international has previously shared posts on Instagram that can be classified as homophobic and queer-hostile.
However, the player himself has denied the accusations in a lengthy social media post.
"He is a normal guy, a normal young footballer," Watzke told the Süddeutsche Zeitung, adding that Nmecha is "not a guy who causes trouble in the group with his attitude or behavior."
WAZ and Ruhr Nachrichten recently reported that Nmecha was able to allay concerns about his attitude toward homosexuals and trans people in a meeting with Watzke and BVB president Reinhold Lunow.
In the interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Watzke emphasized that it has been made clear to Nmecha that, if he joins Borussia Dortmund, he won't be allowed to engage in "missionary activities" with the team and the club, despite his religious beliefs.
Nmecha has been touted as a replacement for Jude Bellingham, who has left Dortmund to join Real Madrid.