How Ole Book proved himself to Dortmund with 2:30am breakthrough for Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri

Ole Book's persistence in getting a loan deal for Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri over the line was the ultimate proof for Borussia Dortmund’s hierarchy that they had found the right man for the sporting director role.

Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

After Giannis Konstantelias suffered an ACL injury towards the end of the transfer window, Borussia Dortmund had to act quickly to bring in a replacement before it was too late.

As reported by Sport Bild, the Black and Yellows decided they wanted to sign Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri on loan just one day before the transfer window closed.

BVB sporting director Ole Book had to bide his time, however, with Arsenal facing Aston Villa that Monday evening and negotiations impossible while the game was being played.

When the match ended at around 10:30pm German time, Book began pushing for a decision, but the Arsenal bosses kept him waiting.

At around 1am, Dortmund sporting managing director Lars Ricken decided to head home, telling Book that he would remain reachable. By that point, hardly anyone still believed the deal would happen. 

Book, however, refused to give up. At around 2:30am, Ricken’s phone rang. It was Book, calling to inform him that he had reached an agreement with Arsenal over a loan deal for Nwaneri.

The 19-year-old underwent his medical the following day and completed his move to Dortmund before the transfer window closed – providing the club’s hierarchy with the final confirmation that they had found the right man for the sporting director role, the report adds.

The 40-year-old Book joined Dortmund from Elversberg in March this year, replacing Sebastian Kehl as sporting director.