Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid target Schlotterbeck casts doubt on Dortmund future

Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has increased speculation over his future at the club by denying that he is set to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga club. Following Germany's international friendly against Ghana, the defender strongly denied media reports of an imminent contract extension at Dortmund. “I must also clearly deny that. Unfortunately, we’re not there yet,” the centre-back told reporters after his side's 2-1 win. His current contract expires in the summer of 2027.

It had previously been reported that the 26-year-old would remain at BVB and that the deal was to be announced this week. However, according to the player, reaching an agreement with Dortmund has become rather more complicated following the club’s parting of ways with sporting director Sebastian Kehl last week and new discussions with his successor, Ole Book, have only just begun.

“I negotiated with Sebastian for a long time. Sebastian is no longer there. Of course, I’ve already called Ole. That’s why I’m very surprised by the reports,” Schlotterbeck emphasised. As such, no announcement is expected anytime soon. The defender added: “In any case, we are not yet at the stage where we can talk about a short-term extension. That’s why I need to say something about it. It’s a bit of a nuisance, for BVB fans too. But as I said, it’s not an easy situation for me right now either."

Following the player's statement to the media on Monday night, Dortmund acted quickly to offer their side of the story. Club sporting director Lars Ricken responded sympathetically to Schlotterbeck’s comments that an extension was by no means imminent. “Nico’s comments are understandable," he said. "We have confirmed neither a breakthrough nor an agreement, so the recent reports have actually taken us by surprise." He added that they were still in constructive dialogue with the central defender and his management. “Nothing has changed in our fundamental stance of keeping him at BVB long-term. We are continuing to work on that.”

'Now the situation has changed a bit'

The defenders comments will sound like music to the ears of some of Europe's biggest clubs. Since the start of the season, Schlotterbeck has been linked with moves to Manchester City, Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. And with his current deal set to expire next year, Dortmund would likely be forced to sell him this summer unless a new contract extension can be agreed in the meantime.

When asked whether there was now a risk that he might not stay in Dortmund, Schlotterbeck replied: “What do you mean by ‘risk’? As I said, Sebastian is no longer here. I negotiated with Sebastian for a long time. I would probably have made a decision in the coming weeks. Now the situation has changed a bit.”

According to the latest reports, Schlotterbeck’s new contract was set to run until 2031 and include a significant pay rise. Including bonus payments, the international is said to have been offered an annual gross salary of €14 million, which would represent an increase of up to €8.5 million. This would make him by far the highest earner at BVB, as Niklas Süle, who signed for BVB in 2022 on €12 million a year, is leaving the club in the summer. Furthermore, a release clause is said to have been included. According to Bild, the club and the player had agreed on a fixed transfer fee of €60m, which would come into effect from 2027 at the earliest.