A number of clubs in the Premier League and Europe are exploring a deal to recruit Borussia Dortmund director of scouting and recruiting Sebastian Krug. The German played a key role in Dortmund's recruitment of Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, with those players generating around £300m in transfer income.

Krug was also heavily involved in bringing Jobe Bellingham to the Bundesliga side from Sunderland last summer, continuing Dortmund's successful strategy of recruiting elite English talent. He played a pivotal role in identifying the Bellingham brothers at an early stage and has built a close relationship with the Bellingham family over a number of years.

Krug's central role in Dortmund's talent identification model has significantly enhanced his reputation within Premier League circles. Senior executives at several of the Premier League's biggest clubs are understood to regularly exchange views with Krug on recruitment strategy, talent identification and wider developments across the game. Krug is also making an impression in Serie A, having recruited some of Italy's brightest young talents.

After almost a decade at Dortmund, there is a growing sense that the time may now be approaching for Krug to take the next step in his career. It is understood that his next move is most likely to take him abroad - and potentially to the Premier League.