Borussia Dortmund are pushing to secure Nico Schlotterbeck’s future by extending his contract past 2027, but the centre-back is holding off, calling it “a very important decision for my career.”
Recent reports suggest that BVB are granting him breathing room, yet have imposed a spring deadline for a definitive answer on renewal. The club is prepared to wait until then before exploring alternatives.
Optimism persists among the board and squad, with Dortmund tabling a fresh deal through 2030 that includes the prospect of Schlotterbeck succeeding Emre Can as captain.
Rivals are circling, however. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Liverpool are all tracking the 25-year-old’s standoff, ready to pounce if talks collapse.
Schlotterbeck’s stature in Niko Kovač’s setup—he has started every Bundesliga match this term—means Dortmund may allow him to see out 2026/27 even without a new agreement, rather than cash in prematurely.
The German international’s composure on the ball and aerial dominance have made him indispensable, yet his camp remains measured. “Nico wants to weigh every factor,” a source close to the player revealed. “Salary, role, and long-term project all matter.”
Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, has publicly backed the defender, saying: “Nico knows what he means to us. We’re doing everything to keep him.”
Still, the lure of Champions League pedigree at Bayern or the global stages of Madrid and Anfield could tilt the scales.
With no breakthrough imminent, the coming months will decide whether Schlotterbeck stays to lead Dortmund’s next era or seeks a new chapter elsewhere.
