Dortmund resume contract extension talks with Schlotterbeck
Germany's Nico Schlotterbeck in action during an International Friendly soccer match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena. Christian Charisius/dpa Borussia Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken spoke with Nico Schlotterbeck about his future immediately after he returned to the club after playing with the Germany national team. The defender has a contract with Dortmund until 2027, but his future with the team beyond that has been a topic of discussion for some time.
"We sat down together, without any agents. The relationship of trust between Nico and the club is 100% intact," Ricken told broadcaster Sky. Ricken declined to specify how likely an extension was but said that the next meeting would take place as soon as possible.
"We won't wait weeks again before scheduling the next meeting," he said. After Germany's 2-1 win against Ghana on Monday in a World Cup tune-up, Schlotterbeck denied recent media reports suggesting that a contract extension with the club was imminent. "I have to categorically deny that.
Unfortunately, we’re not there yet," he said. According to reports, the defender is also still in talks with other top clubs such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The player admitted that the situation has "changed a bit" following the departure of sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
The club parted ways with Kehl earlier this month and he was replaced by Ole Book. "I probably would have made a decision in the coming weeks, but now the situation has changed a bit," he said.