- Manchester United interested in Schlotterbeck
- Contract with Dortmund expires in 2027
- Premier League clubs on alert after contract decision
Nico Schlotterbeck may have stalled contract talks with Borussia Dortmund amidst interest from Premier League clubs.
The German international has been with Dortmund since 2022, and has been capped 25 times for the national side. He has rose to become one of the club’s most important figures in the latest iteration of the Black and Yellow side.
Schlotterbeck was keen to point out in a recent press conference for Germany that no contract has been signed. He said: “To be honest, I have to categorically deny it [is close]. Unfortunately, we haven’t reached that point yet.”
Is Schlotterbeck Premier League Bound?
According to Mark Brus of CaughtOffside, Schlotterbeck has hit the pause button on any contract renewal talks for the time-being. With just one season left on his contract, this summer puts Dortmund at a crossroads. It is a dilemma between listening to offers or convincing the player of the Dortmund project.
The media outlet interviewed journalist Christian Falk, who is a reputable source from SPORT BILD. He said: “Nico Schlotterbeck said that he must think again about the nearly finalised negotiations about a new contract at Borussia Dortmund.”
The central defender has also been subject to interest from rivals Liverpool, who are interested in bringing the left-footed player to Anfield. With Virgil Van Dijk’s career winding down and a general lack of depth in defence, they could move in for the player. He brings with him experience at club and international level for a cut-price given his contract situation.
Falk added: “He [Schlotterbeck] said the reason for this is that the club have fired the Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl. But the club think that this is just a pretext. The real reason could be a new interest in Schlotterbeck of Liverpool and Manchester United.”
Kehl, who is a former Dortmund player himself, had moved the club away from its policy of buying cheap players and selling them for a high price. his departure could signal a shift closer to that, but simultaneously move Dortmund away from the echelons of Europe’s elite. At 26, that is a decision that Schlotterbeck has to consider for his own career.
Do United Need Another Defender?
Dortmund will be desperate to hold onto one of their best players. The man who plays alongside him, Walden Anton, has also been subject to reports of an exit in the summer. He is yet another name who has been linked to Manchester United, but also to Aston Villa.
With so many names being linked, it is of utmost importance that United do qualify for the Champions League. It gives the club the best chance to upgrade in their best interests. Moreover, it gives the club leverage to beat other Premier League clubs, such as Liverpool and Villa, to primary targets.
Centre-back may not necessarily be an area of priority for INEOS this summer, but the long-term fitness of Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs De Ligt is definitely something to keep an eye on.
