Nico Schlotterbeck is a wanted man but is ready to commit his immediate future to Dortmund
Nico Schlotterbeck is poised to sign a new deal with Borussia Dortmund and disappoint a host of suitors, including Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Centre-half Schlotterbeck, who moved to Signal Iduna Park in 2017 from Karlsruhe, has just 15 months remaining on his current contract and had emerged as a target for Madrid and Liverpool with both clubs looking to make defensive additions this summer.
But it seems Dortmund have convinced the 26-year-old to remain in the Bundesliga with a report in Bild suggesting Schlotterbeck has agreed terms on a deal that runs until 2031. The player’s agent Matthias Sammer also told Sky: “I am absolutely convinced he will stay in Dortmund.”
There will be an increase in annual salary, including bonuses, to around €14million (£12.1m) for the Germany international, who will be in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Release clause offers hope for Madrid and Liverpool
There is one ray of hope, however, for chasing clubs. The new contract reportedly contains an exit clause for next summer with a release fee of €60m.
That would not be beyond the likes of Madrid and Liverpool as they look to bring a more youthful look to the centre of their defences.
Madrid signed Dean Huijsen last summer but with Raul Asencio yet to convince at the highest level, Antonio Rudiger 33 years of age and Eder Militao struggling with persistent injury problems, they will return to the market in a few months’ time.
Liverpool are in a similar situation. They have already acquired Jeremy Jacquet, 20, from Rennes but he has had to undergo shoulder surgery after sustaining a nasty injury against Lens.
Virgil van Dijk is 34 while his regular central defensive partner Ibrahima Konate is out of contract at the end of the season with no agreement in sight.
Schlotterbeck’s decision could have implications for Konate as it may be he becomes Madrid’s number one target.
