Schlotterbeck contract talks: BVB chief Kehl remains upbeat | OneFootball

Nico Schlotterbeck has made an impressive comeback after his long injury break and immediately proved his importance to Borussia Dortmund. It’s no wonder, then, that the BVB bosses want to secure the 25-year-old defensive leader to the club for the long term. The national player’s current contract runs until 2027 – extending it is Dortmund’s stated goal. However, the negotiations are proving to be more difficult than initially expected.

A few weeks ago, an agreement seemed to be a mere formality, but now the talks have stalled. The reason for this is not only the player’s financial expectations, but also sporting factors. According to BILD, Schlotterbeck is hesitating to give his commitment because he wants a clear signal: he absolutely wants to play in a “title-capable team.” Only when he is convinced that BVB has realistic chances of winning trophies will he put pen to paper.

Sporting director Sebastian Kehl tried to defuse the situation. In an interview with Sky on Wednesday evening, he explained: “We have been in talks for a while. I can promise that we are working on it. It will take a few more days. Not because he isn’t convinced, but because he wants to find himself, get back into rhythm, and he has big goals – hopefully with BVB. I remain very optimistic.”

Financial Demands in Focus

Photo: IMAGO

In addition to sporting ambitions, the financial side also plays a role. According to BILD, BVB is offering Schlotterbeck an annual salary of around 10 million euros. While this offer is above his previous salary, it does not seem to fully convince the defender.

Above all, the comparison within the squad could play a part: according to the report, Niklas Süle is said to earn up to 14 million euros per year. This salary difference is apparently something Schlotterbeck is unwilling to accept. It is considered likely that he also wants to be in this salary bracket.

For BVB, this means that the poker game over their defensive leader could drag on for a while. However, it is also clear that Schlotterbeck is indispensable for the Black and Yellows’ future. After his injury, he has made an impressive return and shows that he can make the difference in defense.

The coming weeks will show whether Dortmund and Schlotterbeck can come closer together – or whether the contract poker will turn into a real test of endurance.

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