Experienced Schlotterbeck cover? BVB eye Marc-Oliver Kempf | OneFootball

Germany’s national team will have to do without Nico Schlotterbeck for the rest of the 2026 World Cup. He suffered an early medial ligament injury in his left ankle in the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast and, according to official statements from the DFB and Borussia Dortmund, will be sidelined for several months. A transfer for the center-back has therefore certainly not become more likely, but it is not completely off the table either.

Real Madrid in particular — and thus likely one of only three clubs for whom the release clause included in Schlotterbeck’s contract, which was only extended until 2031 in April, is valid — has repeatedly been linked in recent weeks with an interest in signing him, in a deal that could be worth around 50 to 60 million euros.

So far, however, Los Blancos have made no concrete move, and because of Schlotterbeck’s enforced absence, which is expected to extend well into the new season, it is also quite possible that Real Madrid will step away from the matter, at least for this summer.

Regular starter at Como 1907

Nevertheless, names of potential replacements are being discussed in Dortmund in case Schlotterbeck does end up leaving. After the weekend saw Benfica Lisbon’s Portugal international Tomás Araújo mentioned — though he would be anything but cheap at a fee of at least 30 million euros — Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has now named another defender whom one would not necessarily expect to be a candidate for BVB.

Photo: IMAGO / Latin Sport Images

According to Di Marzio, Borussia would be very interested in Marc Oliver Kempf if Schlotterbeck leaves. Kempf left Hertha BSC for Como 1907 two years ago and helped the Serie A surprise package qualify for the Champions League. The 31-year-old made 34 appearances out of a possible 38 last season, starting 27 times, and contributed four goals to the success of Cesc Fabregas’ team.

Because Kempf’s contract runs until 2027, a basic decision between an extension and a sale now appears to be looming. That BVB will play any role in that, however, seems rather unlikely, especially given Kempf’s age.

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