Borussia Mönchengladbach is confronting a sobering assessment of its recent transfer strategy, as several high-profile signings have failed to produce the expected returns. The club invested upwards of €27 million in forwards and a goalkeeper since the 2022-23 season, according to reporting from German publication Bild, but those players are now underperforming or facing uncertain futures. This report details the struggles of Tomáš Čvančara, Nathan Ngoumou, and Jonas Omlin, raising questions about the club’s recruitment process and its potential financial repercussions.
Borussia Mönchengladbach is facing a harsh reality check on a series of high-profile signings from recent seasons. The club invested heavily in talent, but those players have largely failed to deliver on expectations, leaving the German side counting its losses.
In the 2022/23 season, Mönchengladbach brought in Cameroonian midfielder Nathan Ngoumou for a fee of €8 million (over $194 million korunas) from Toulouse, and Swiss goalkeeper Jonas Omlin for €9 million from Montpellier. Omlin was brought in to replace fellow countryman Yann Sommer after his departure to Bayern Munich.
The following season saw the arrival of Czech forward Tomáš Čvančara from Sparta Prague for €10 million ($243 million korunas). He was tasked with filling a void left by the departure of star player Marcus Thuram, who moved to Inter Milan on a free transfer.
However, according to German publication Bild, none of these players have lived up to their billing, and Borussia is now left to assess the financial fallout.
Čvančara, now 25, never cemented a starting role. In two seasons, he appeared in 49 Bundesliga matches, scoring six goals. He added two more goals in five German Cup appearances.
Last summer, the club sent him on a season-long loan to Antalyaspor. There, he scored one goal in 11 appearances before his Turkish stint was cut short due to complaints filed with FIFA regarding unpaid wages. He is now on loan with Celtic Glasgow in Scotland.
The chances of Mönchengladbach recouping their investment in the Czech forward are slim. His market value, according to Transfermarkt.de, has plummeted from €12 million at the time of his arrival to just €2.5 million today.
It’s little surprise, then, that German media are labeling Čvančara an expensive mistake.
Ngoumou’s situation is similar. He also failed to establish himself as a regular starter in three years with the club, appearing in just 30 Bundesliga matches out of a possible 121. He has been sidelined with an Achilles tendon rupture since April 2025, sustained during a warm-down after a match against St. Pauli, and his return date remains uncertain.
Omlin’s arrival was also met with high expectations. He was brought in as the number one goalkeeper and even named captain. However, a series of injuries hampered his progress, leading to him losing his place in the starting lineup. He recently joined Bayer Leverkusen as cover for their injured goalkeeper.
