Nico Schlotterbeck has ‘three options’, says Lars Ricken | OneFootball

Despite continued negotiations, Nico Schlotterbeck’s future at Borussia Dortmund remains uncertain. The German defender has a contract until 2027 but following Sebastian Kehl’s departure as sporting director, discussions appear to have hit a roadblock.

Speaking to Sport Bild, managing director Lars Ricken said: “There are three options: We extend his contract, we sell him in the summer – or we enter the final year of his contract.

“We all want to avoid the last option. That wouldn’t be good for either us or Nico.”

Although summer is fast approaching, Ricken wants to avoid setting a deadline on a decision. “That might make sense in some cases, but not this one,” he added. “The discussions are respectful and confidential that we don’t want to exert added pressure.

“And why should we limit ourselves as long as we’re completely within the timeframe we agreed upon?”

Additionally, Ricken doesn’t want to correlate Kehl’s departure with the prolonged negotiations, added: “Such a decision has to be made out of conviction, not tactical considerations. Both Sebastian and BVB were in agreement on that.

“I was involved in most of the discussions. Besides, it’s clear that a player never signs a contract with a single person, but always with the club.”

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