Real Madrid open direct contacts with agent of Bundesliga defensive ace – report | OneFootball

There is the age-old adage that goes: “Attacks win you games, but defences win you tournaments.”

Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid seems to have started with the club trying to stick to it like it is gospel truth.

Los Merengues have been moving to sign defender after defender this transfer window, and the scary part is that they do not seem done.

According to Sky Sports (h/t RM4Arab), Real Madrid have established direct contact with the agent of Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck.

Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of the player and has urged the club to try to sign the 26-year-old left-footed defender.

Real Madrid look at defensive options

Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Schlotterbeck. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

At this stage, the important detail is that this is contact, not a completed deal. Regardless, it is very encouraging that Madrid are interested in the player.

Still, it is not difficult to see why a player like Schlotterbeck would interest Real Madrid. He is a high-level central defender, comfortable defending aggressively and capable of playing with authority in possession.

Real Madrid’s squad planning in defence has felt like an area to monitor closely. The club need reliability, physical power and depth across a long season, especially with so many competitions demanding rotation and consistency.

Mourinho’s admiration matters

It is very early in the new era at Real Madrid, and it already feels like Mourinho has a huge say in whom the club are signing.

Schlotterbeck recently renewed his contract with Dortmund. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

It had been reported earlier that it was the Portuguese manager who really wanted to sign Bernardo Silva and pushed to ensure it happened.

Similarly, if the manager is seriously pushing to sign Schlotterbeck, there is no doubt that the club will make a concentrated effort to try to bring him in.

Schlotterbeck would offer a different option to the central defenders in the squad. He has the presence to compete in duels, but also the passing quality to help build attacks from the back.

A story worth following

Establishing contact with Schlotterbeck’s agent could be the first step in a long-drawn negotiation saga.

Borussia Dortmund recently handed him a new contract, and there is still no clarity on whether it includes a release clause.

Regardless of what happens, the idea of the German central defender wearing the white of Real Madrid is tantalising, and it remains to be seen how this transfer saga plays out.