Dortmund boss outlines "three options" for Schlotterbeck's future amid contract talks

Dortmund boss outlines "three options" for Schlotterbeck's future amid contract talks

For months, Borussia Dortmund and Nico Schlotterbeck have been in talks over a potential contract extension beyond 2027, but no agreement has been reached so far.

In an interview with Sport Bild, BVB sporting managing director Lars Ricken now outlines “three options” for the centre-back’s future.

“There are three options: we extend the contract, we sell him in the summer, or we go into the final year of the contract. We all want to avoid the last option. That wouldn’t be good for us or for Nico,” Ricken said, adding:

“We still assume that the first option will work out. I’ve always approached the talks with optimism. We will now continue them. Ole (Book, Dortmund’s new sporting director; editor’s note) has now also met Nico for the first time, and the three of us have already sat down together.”

German legend Lothar Matthäus has advised Dortmund to set a deadline to conclude the negotiations, but Ricken is not in favour of imposing one.

“That might make sense in some cases, but not in this one. The talks are so respectful and confidential that we don’t want to create artificial pressure. And why should we limit ourselves as long as we are fully within the timeframe we mutually agreed upon? It’s fine as it is – we have the situation under control,” he explained.

“I’ve had several conversations with Nico by now. I completely understand that he needs time to reflect on certain things. Given the contract situation and a player of his caliber, that’s not unusual.”