Amused by hotly debated video
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BVB also wants to stretch itself financially to extend Nico Schlotterbeck’s (25) contract, but Dortmund’s efforts to convince the central defender are still a difficult undertaking. This emerges from recent statements by sports director Sebastian Kehl. The rumor about a possible move for the national player to FC Bayern is being kept warm in the media. Meanwhile, Kehl also commented on a hotly debated video clip that concerns him and Schlotterbeck.
“A lot was interpreted into it,” said Kehl after Dortmund’s 4-0 (1-0) win in the Champions League against FC Villarreal about the video, which was also discussed at the BVB general meeting on Sunday. The clip shows Kehl greeting all players with a handshake as they arrive at the event. Schlotterbeck, however, ran past Kehl without shaking his hand. But “everything was okay” between him and the defender, Kehl assured. “Of course it looks a bit unfortunate,” he said. But he was amused by the interpretations – “also with Schlotti”.
Kehl: BVB wants to provide Schlotterbeck with suitable framework conditions
Regarding the player’s obviously not easy decision to extend his contract early, which expires in 2027, Kehl said: “I know that Schlotti is thinking a lot. We are trying to provide framework conditions that offer an attractive environment for Schlotti. In the end, he wants to be successful, he wants to play for titles. We all want that.”
The pressure for BVB is growing. A decisive decision regarding Schlotterbeck would be necessary as early as the summer if an extension was not successful. With only one year left on the contract, Dortmund could only achieve an adequate transfer fee for the defense chief after the current season. “In the end there will have to be a decision. We hope that this decision will be positive,” said Kehl and announced: “We will also move economically.”
Bayern rumors remain: Munich will be close to Schlotterbeck as early as 2022
In the summer, Schlotterbeck could become an interesting option for several world-class clubs. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, for example, are looking at the central defender position. A possible candidate for both teams is Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano (27), which could open the door to the record champions for Schlotterbeck. According to “Sport Bild”, they were already in discussions with the defender in 2022, but he decided to move to BVB that had already been promised. Rumors have also emerged in recent weeks about Schlotterbeck’s possible move to Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City or Liverpool FC. At LFC, the question is whether Ibrahim Konaté (26) will extend his expiring contract and, with a view to Crystal Palace, whether the possible replacement for the Reds, Marc Guéhi (25), will extend his contract there (among the clubs with the most valuable central defenders with an expiring contract).
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“If Upamecano really were to leave Bayern at the end of the season, not signing Schlotterbeck (even if it could cost 40-60 million euros) would be a similar transfer catastrophe from a sporting and media perspective to the one with Wirtz,” is how TM user “Peze7” assesses the situation from the Munich team’s perspective in the rumor mill. The user does not limit the connection only to the Dortmunder and Upamecano, but also sees Schlotterbeck as a possible replacement for a possible departure of Min-jae Kim from FCB. “The only sticking point from Bayern’s perspective could be the transfer fee. Bayern will refer to the term of the contract and possibly offer a maximum of 35-40 million, so I could imagine that Dortmund will block this move and hope that they can still be convinced to stay or that a Premier League club will make a significantly better offer, see Woltemade, where Stuttgart’s persistence has paid off.” (Join the discussion here!)