Barcelona’s plans to strengthen their defence have suffered a transparent setback, with a brand new report from revealing that competitors for Nico Schlotterbeck is intensifying.
In response to the replace, the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich have now entered the race, considerably complicating Barcelona’s pursuit of the Borussia Dortmund defender.
Commercial
shouldn’t be new. The membership has been actively learning the marketplace for a top-level centre-back, however a January transfer has already been dominated out.
As a substitute, the Blaugrana are working with a longer-term plan, focusing on the summer season of 2026 to make a decisive defensive signing.
Inside that technique, Schlotterbeck has emerged as one of the extremely rated choices on the interior shortlist.
The reasoning is simple. Schlotterbeck is extensively seen as a defender able to anchoring the again line of a group competing for the Champions League.
At current, Borussia Dortmund usually are not seen as clear favourites for Europe’s largest prize, and that context has positioned the German worldwide’s future underneath the highlight.
Commercial
There’s a sturdy competitors
Barcelona are dealing with competitors for Nico Schlotterbeck. (Photograph by Lars Baron/Getty Pictures)
Contractually, the scenario is delicate. Schlotterbeck is tied to Dortmund till 2027, however there was no progress in direction of a renewal.
Stories counsel an extension is unlikely, which explains why his identify continues to be linked with a number of European heavyweights, together with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and even Actual Madrid.
For Dortmund, they might be pressured to decide on between promoting Schlotterbeck whereas his worth stays excessive or risking him working down his contract and leaving free of charge sooner or later.
Commercial
This isn’t a routine name becuase Schlotterbeck is greater than only a centre-back, he’s a pacesetter, a ball-playing defender, and a participant getting into his prime.
From Barcelona’s perspective, the rising listing of suitors represents a critical impediment.
With Bayern and Liverpool each in a position to transfer sooner and spend extra freely, the Blaugrana face an uphill job except they will persuade the participant with a transparent sporting undertaking.