The transfer of the 23-year-old Greece international was officially confirmed on Monday. According to consistent media reports, Dortmund will initially pay €26 million to PAOK, with bonuses potentially taking the fee to €32 million. The Greek club are also believed to have secured a 15 per cent sell-on clause. That makes Konstantelias the most expensive departure in PAOK’s history.
Alternative after El Mala deal collapsed
Dortmund had originally pushed hard to sign Said El Mala from 1. FC Köln. However, BVB eventually withdrew from negotiations after a final offer was rejected. Köln were reportedly only prepared to consider a sale of the 19-year-old attacker for a fee in the region of €50 million.
Konstantelias is not a like-for-like alternative to El Mala. While the Köln youngster is at his best out wide and in open spaces, the Greek international is most comfortable operating between the lines. He can play centrally behind a lone striker or drift inside from the left. His main strengths lie in one-on-one situations, tight spaces and his ability to create numerical advantages through technically demanding actions.
Dortmund’s move for Konstantelias continues an eye-catching summer transfer window. Earlier in August, BVB signed another highly rated Greek attacking talent in Konstantinos Karetsas from KRC Genk. The 18-year-old also signed a contract until 2031. In May, Dortmund had already brought in 19-year-old centre-back Joane Gadou from Red Bull Salzburg.
41 goals for PAOK
Konstantelias came through PAOK’s academy and made his first-team debut at the age of just 17. Apart from a brief loan spell with KAS Eupen, he has spent his entire senior career in Thessaloniki. He made 186 competitive appearances for PAOK’s first team and scored 41 goals. In 2024, he helped his boyhood club win the Greek championship, having already lifted the domestic cup in 2021.
The technically gifted attacker made his definitive breakthrough in the 2023/24 title-winning season, when he scored nine goals and provided six assists. He became even more dangerous in front of goal last season, finding the net 13 times in all competitions. In the Greek league alone, he recorded eight goals and two assists.
Konstantelias also started the current European campaign in excellent form, scoring three goals in four Europa League qualifying matches.
He is also firmly established at international level. Since making his Greece debut in March 2023, Konstantelias has won 18 caps and scored four goals. He has already shared the pitch with Karetsas for the national team as well.
Chelsea and Juventus were also interested
A move to one of Europe’s major leagues had looked increasingly likely for some time. Earlier in August, transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Chelsea FC and Juventus Turin were also monitoring Konstantelias alongside Dortmund. Juventus had reportedly sent scouts to watch him on several occasions.
VfB Stuttgart had already shown particularly strong interest last summer. PAOK initially gave Konstantelias permission to leave, but the move unexpectedly collapsed despite negotiations being at an advanced stage. The fan favourite subsequently extended his contract in Thessaloniki until 2029.
Now the move to Germany has finally materialised – only with Dortmund rather than Stuttgart. Managing director Lars Ricken said BVB had been following Konstantelias’ development “for quite some time”. Sporting director Ole Book believes the Greek international can immediately strengthen the squad with his individual qualities. Konstantelias himself kept his message brief after signing: “BVB is a big club and I will give everything to be successful here.”
For Dortmund, the signing represents another step towards building a technically stronger and more unpredictable attack. With Karetsas and Konstantelias, BVB now have two of the brightest talents in Greek football in their squad. After walking away from the expensive pursuit of El Mala, Dortmund have instead broadened their attacking options with another highly creative player.
