Barcelona top centre-back target will leave Bundesliga club in 2026; could cost €45 million | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have made the signing of a new left-footed centre-back one of their priorities for the summer transfer window.

The departure of Inigo Martinez has left a hole in the defensive unit, which the Catalans intend to fill with a new signing before the start of the season.

Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund and Goncalo Inacio of Sporting CP, both of whom will enter the final year of their respective contracts in the summer, have emerged as potential targets.

Schlotterbeck will leave Dortmund

Now, according to BILD (h/t SPORT), Borussia Dortmund have been trying for months to renew Schlotterbeck’s contract without success, and at this point, his continuity appears practically ruled out.

The Black and Yellows have made a formal offer to extend his contract beyond 2027, increasing his salary from €2.5 million to €8 million with bonuses, but talks are completely stalled.

The German international, one of the most valued left-footed centre-backs on the market, believes he is at a decisive stage of his career and wants to play for a club that guarantees immediate competition for titles.

Schlotterbeck appears set to leave Dortmund. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

If he does not renew, the club will be forced to sell next summer to avoid losing him for free a year later. As such, his exit in 2026 appears pretty much locked in.

Barcelona alert

Schlotterbeck’s camp likes the idea of him staying in Germany, with Bayern Munich a possible option, although there are also voices that seriously value the option of moving abroad.

That is where Barcelona enter the picture. Deco and Hansi Flick fully approve of his profile, which fits with the club’s search for a top-level left-footed centre-back for next season.

As per the report, Dortmund value him at around €45 million, although the price is likely to drop. If they decide to sell, the German club would prioritise sending him abroad rather than strengthening a direct rival such as Bayern.

While Goncalo Inacio is also an option for the Catalans, the German international fits better in terms of attributes, maturity and international experience.

If the Fair Play situation improves and Barcelona return to the 1:1 ruling, they are not ruling out a January signing either. For now, Schlotterbeck appears set to leave Dortmund in 2026 and is on the Blaugrana’s agenda.