Neven Subotic looked all set for a summer transfer, probably to Middlesbrough, but that has been called off. Borussia Dortmund announced Wednesday that the central defender won't be on the move this summer because he needs surgery in the rib area and will be sidelined for the remainder of 2016.
It wasn't that long ago that Subotic was one of the Bundesliga's better center backs. He teamed with Mats Hummels to make up the heart of the Dortmund defense that won two league titles and went to the Champions League finall, but the last year has not been kind to him. He's struggled with a slew of injuries, with this just the latest one, and he lost his spot in the BVB starting XI.
With no starting place available at the Westfalenstadion, Subotic looked elsewhere and Middlesbrough reportedly agreed to a deal with BVB. He would have been a good fit for Boro, who are newly promoted and hoping to stay in the top flight, while Subotic would have been happy just to get an opportunity in a good league. That's all out the window now.
It will be tough for Subotic to get a transfer in January, too. If he is fit, he'll have just returned and clubs won't know what kind of shape he's in. He'll also be out of form. At that point, a loan is probably his best bet, but even that would be in doubt. Subotic just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to injuries these days.
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