According to the German newspaper Bild, the renewal negotiations between Borussia Dortmund and their 26-year-old left-footed defender, Nico Schlotterbeck, have encountered a formidable obstacle. The towering presence of Real Madrid, having reportedly expressed their firm interest in acquiring the player, has cast significant doubt over the centre-back’s future at the German club.
Schlotterbeck’s current contractual agreement with Dortmund is set to expire in 2027, yet the allure of the Spanish capital appears to be a powerful counterweight to any extension talks. The player himself, as per the report, remains uncertain about renewing his contract, a hesitation directly attributed to the overtures from the Real Madrid leadership. For the defender, contemplating his next career move, the spectrum of possibilities has narrowed to just two entities: his current employers and the fourteen-time European champions.
A Deadline on the Horizon
The situation is expected to reach a critical juncture in the coming weeks. Bild indicates that a final decision regarding a potential contract renewal will be made prior to the commencement of the international matches in March, when Germany is scheduled to face Switzerland and Ghana. This timeline imposes a clear deadline on the protracted discussions, compelling all parties to clarify their positions.
Further intensifying the narrative, the German publication posits a stark ultimatum for the summer transfer window. Should Schlotterbeck decline to extend his stay at Signal Iduna Park, the only viable option for his departure a year before his contract’s conclusion would be a transfer to the Real Madrid. This framing underscores the high-stakes nature of the negotiations for Dortmund, who risk losing a key defensive asset to one of world football’s most prestigious institutions.