Real Madrid want two new centre-backs – No quick move for Schlotterbeck | OneFootball

For Real Madrid, today’s Wednesday Champions League quarter-final second leg away at Bayern Munich is about nothing less than preserving their last chance to save the season. After the early exit from the Copa del Rey and given the large gap to FC Barcelona in the league, Europe’s top competition is Los Blancos’ final opportunity to win a title. Regardless of the outcome of this difficult mission after the 1–2 home defeat against Bayern, changes are likely coming in the Spanish capital after the season.

Coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January, is already under heavy criticism again and can likely only hope to continue beyond this season if the Champions League is won. Otherwise, a new coach is expected to take charge once more, certainly bringing his own ideas regarding the squad.

Precisely because of this uncertainty in the coaching position, Madrid are currently holding back when it comes to squad planning. New signings will probably only be finalized in consultation with the future coach, although it is already largely clear that two new center-backs will arrive. On the one hand, David Alaba’s expiring contract is very unlikely to be renewed, and on the other, Antonio Rüdiger—whose deal is also coming to an end—also appears set to leave.

Schlotterbeck can leave BVB until mid-July

Alongside Ibrahima Konate, who could leave Liverpool on a free transfer, Nico Schlotterbeck has also long been considered a candidate for Real’s central defense. The fact that the 26-year-old’s newly signed contract at Borussia Dortmund contains a release clause that applies only to a few selected clubs, but reportedly includes Real Madrid, is fueling the speculation.

Photo: IMAGO

According to Sport BILD, Schlotterbeck must trigger the clause by an unspecified deadline around the World Cup final (19 July) in order to leave BVB for a fixed fee of €50 to €60 million — by then, it should be clear who will be sitting on Real’s bench in the future.

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