Dortmund: Borussia Dortmund is taking a €26.7 million capital injection from its shirt sponsor, chemicals maker Evonik, who will get a 9.06 per cent stake in the club in return. Borussia Dortmund plans to use the proceeds in the player transfer market, strengthen its equity base and open a representative office in Asia.

Beer Bet: Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo challenged US President Barack Obama to a bet over Belgium’s impending World Cup knock-out match against the United States, offering the prospect of some “great Belgian beers” should the US team win. “Hey @BarackObama, I am betting some great Belgian beers that our @BelRedDevils will make it to the quarter final!” Di Rupo tweeted yesterday.

Marseille: Marseille have made Michy Batshuayi their second signing in two days as they seek to offset the potential departure of Mathieu Valbuena. France playmaker Valbuena’s agent claims his client is considering a move after the World Cup. Romain Alessandrini will help fill the void in attacking midfield and new coach Marcelo Bielsa now also has a fresh striker to call upon in Batshuayi.

Lille: Lille duo Steeve Elana and David Rozehnal have signed extensions to the contracts. Czech defender Rozehnal, 34, has signed a 12-month extension to the end of the upcoming season, while goalkeeper Elana has committed himself to the club until 2018.

Lens: Lens’s promotion to Ligue 1 was suspended yesterday after the 2014-15 budget failed to meet the financial criteria, the club’s president said. Gervais Martel said that Lens would appeal the decision of the French League’s National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) before the French federation (FFF). Lens are owned by Azeri businessman Hafiz Mammadov.

Yurchenko: Bayer Leverkusen have strengthened their squad ahead of the new season as they completed the signing of Vladlen Yurchenko from Shakhtar Donetsk on a two-year deal. The 20-year-old joins the Bundesliga outfit until June 30, 2016.