Rumours over Portuguese World Cup player – BVB in for Tomás Araújo? | OneFootball

Not only the German national team, but also Borussia Dortmund are looking with a mix of calm and concern at the MRI scan scheduled for today, Sunday, which is expected to clarify how badly Nico Schlotterbeck was injured in the second World Cup group match against Ivory Coast (2:1).

There is a suspected injury to the medial ligament in his left ankle for the Dortmund center-back, the extent of which is not yet entirely clear, but it could affect not only the plans of Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann. If Schlotterbeck is sidelined for a longer period, which at this point cannot be ruled out, it would likely not only mean the end of the World Cup for the 26-year-old, but would also certainly make a summer transfer—still very much a possibility so far—no more likely.

Until mid-July, Schlotterbeck can make use of a release clause agreed when he extended his contract in April, which would allow selected clubs to sign the Germany international for a fixed fee of 50 to 60 million euros. Most recently, there was speculation mainly about interest from Real Madrid, but Los Blancos are now also likely to wait and see for the time being.

Release clause set at 80 million euros

Although Joane Gadou (Red Bull Salzburg), a highly talented center-back, has already been brought in, BVB would probably make another move in central defense if Schlotterbeck were to leave at short notice.

Photo: IMAGO / Latin Sport Images

According to a report by Sport 1, one candidate is said to be Tomás Araújo, who played the full 90 minutes in Portugal’s 1:1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their first World Cup match and was reportedly watched by BVB scouts.

It was only the 24-year-old’s sixth international appearance, but his performances have earned Araújo a place in the team, and in recent times he has also been loosely linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Araújo would not come cheap, however. The 1.87-meter defender’s contract with Benfica, which runs until 2029, contains a release clause worth 80 million euros, and even if the Portuguese club were willing to negotiate, a fee of less than 30 million euros is considered unrealistic.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.