Is BVB star Schlotterbeck joining Real? Mourinho makes decision | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund still has to deal with Real Madrid’s interest in Nico Schlotterbeck. Now coach José Mourinho is said to have made an important decision regarding the BVB star.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s future continues to fuel speculation. Although the Borussia Dortmund center-back has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for weeks, the Spanish giants’ list of priorities has apparently changed. According to information from the Spanish newspaper Marca, new coach José Mourinho has presented Madrid’s decision-makers with his plan for the remainder of the transfer window.

After already signing Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella, and Ibrahima Konaté, Real are said to want to strengthen the squad further in two areas. Denzel Dumfries is also reportedly set to have already completed his move to Spain. Mourinho still sees a need for action, especially in central defense. Schlotterbeck remains among the candidates, but he is no longer said to be the preferred solution.

According to the report, the injury he suffered at the World Cup contributed to Schlotterbeck slipping down the internal pecking order. Instead, Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni is now considered the favorite for the defense. Before Real sign a new center-back, however, Raúl Asencio is expected to be sold first. The Spanish giants want to use the proceeds from that transfer to finance the next deal.

Real makes Schlotterbeck decision: BVB can hope

The two candidates also differ financially. While Bastoni would reportedly cost the Spanish record champions around €70 million, Schlotterbeck would be available for significantly less. His contract at BVB is said to contain a release clause that selected clubs—apparently including Real Madrid—can activate this summer. That would make the 26-year-old available for around €50 million.

Photo: IMAGO

According to Marca, Mourinho has identified another area that needs attention besides the defense. He apparently wants to strengthen not only the back line but also central midfield. To do so, the club is said to be looking for a player with a profile similar to Luka Modrić. Enzo Fernández of Chelsea and Mateus Fernandes of West Ham are considered promising candidates.

For Borussia Dortmund, the latest developments could therefore be quite positive. Schlotterbeck remains a topic at Real Madrid, but at the moment the BVB defender appears to be only the Spanish giants’ second choice.

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