Former Wolverhampton Wanderers record signing Fabio Silva faces yet another potential club move this January after failing to establish himself at Borussia Dortmund, continuing a career that has failed to live up to its early promise.
Dortmund Disaster After Summer Move
The Portuguese striker, who joined Dortmund for €20 million (£17.5 million) last summer following his permanent departure from Wolves, has managed just nine appearances and a single goal since arriving in Germany. His solitary strike came during a Champions League victory against FC Copenhagen.
Silva's situation at Signal Iduna Park has become increasingly concerning, with the 23-year-old yet to start a single match under manager Niko Kovač. He's been limited to just 106 minutes of first-team action across all competitions, raising serious questions about his future at the Bundesliga club.
World Cup Dreams Driving January Exit
According to German reports, Silva is already considering a January departure due to frustration over his lack of playing time. His primary motivation stems from ambitious international aspirations - he aims to represent Portugal in the upcoming World Cup in North America after making his senior debut in November 2024.
The forward finally earned his first Portugal cap in a UEFA Nations League match against Croatia last year, and now sees regular first-team football as essential to maintaining his international prospects. Despite being under contract with Dortmund until 2030, Silva is reportedly seeking a 'lightning-quick exit' to boost his World Cup chances.
From Record Signing to Nomadic Career
Silva's career has been one of unfulfilled potential since Wolves made him their record £35 million signing in 2020. The transfer represented a significant statement of intent from a club that had secured back-to-back seventh-place Premier League finishes and reached the Europa League quarter-finals.
During his first season at Molineux, the teenager showed glimpses of promise with four goals and three assists in 37 appearances. However, he failed to score again in the Premier League for Wolves, spending subsequent seasons either as a peripheral figure or on loan at various clubs including Anderlecht, PSV Eindhoven and Rangers.
His most productive spell came at Las Palmas, where he managed 10 goals for the campaign, attracting interest from several clubs before Dortmund secured his signature. The German club reportedly discovered an injury during his medical, with some sources suggesting Silva may have concealed the issue - claims the player has strongly denied.
As the January transfer window approaches, Silva faces a critical juncture in his career. Having already represented seven different clubs, a potential eighth move could either provide the fresh start he desperately needs or continue a pattern of unfulfilled expectations that has defined his career since that record-breaking move to Wolverhampton five years ago.
