Surprise after the international match: Nico Schlotterbeck has vehemently rejected media reports about a contract poker agreement with Borussia Dortmund.
“I honestly say that I have to clearly deny that. Unfortunately we are not that far. I negotiated with Sebastian (Kehl, editor) for a long time, he is no longer there,” explained the central defender after the German national football team’s 2-1 (1-0) win against Ghana in Stuttgart. He was therefore “very surprised by the reporting”.
Sky reported on Monday (March 30, 2026) about an agreement on an early extension of the contract, which runs until 2027, and the signing was planned immediately after the international break. But this information was “not correct,” Schlotterbeck emphasized very clearly: “Unfortunately, we are not yet that far along to say that the signature is imminent. That’s why I have to address that.” He was surprised by the short-term departure of sports director Kehl.
“I have to look now”
“I negotiated with Sebastian for a long time,” explained the 26-year-old: “I would probably have made a decision in the next few weeks. Now the situation has changed a bit, I just have to see.” The new sports director Ole Book has already called him and there will certainly be discussions with him soon. “This is stupid for all BVB fans, but it’s not an easy situation for me because Sebastian left at the last moment,” said Schlotterbeck.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund’s sports director Lars Ricken reacted understandingly to Schlotterbeck’s statement. Ricken told the German Press Agency: “Nico’s statements are understandable. We have not confirmed a breakthrough or an agreement, so the recent reporting surprised us.” We are still in trusting communication with the central defender and his management. “Nothing has changed in our basic attitude to tie him to BVB in the long term. We are continuing to work on that.”
Extension open again
When asked whether there was now a danger that he would not stay in Dortmund, Schlotterbeck replied: “What does the danger mean? As I said, Sebastian is no longer there. I negotiated with Sebastian for a long time. I would probably have made a decision in the next few weeks. Now the situation has changed a bit.”
The Dortmund top performer has recently been linked to many top European clubs such as Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich.
Our sources:
- sports information service
- International match between Germany and Ghana on March 30, 2026
Broadcast: WDR.de, “Schlotterbeck not yet in agreement with BVB”, March 31, 2026, 9:45 a.m
