Barcelona’s defensive woes have been a hot topic this season, with high lines and offside traps leaving gaps that opponents have exploited in both La Liga and European competitions.
Chelsea’s 3-0 dismantling of the Blaugrana at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday was a stark reminder of the need for reinforcements at the back.
Pau Cubarsi, just 18, has had to shoulder leadership responsibilities in central defence, often paired with Eric Garcia in makeshift roles.
The club’s hierarchy is understood to be considering multiple options for the summer 2026 transfer window, with a new centre-back high on the priority list.
Names like Dayot Upamecano and others have been linked, signalling Barcelona’s intent to bolster their defensive stability.
One player who has captured significant attention is Nico Schlotterbeck, the Dortmund centre-back emerging as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga.
A centre-back by trade, Nico Schlotterbeck is known for his technical brilliance and speed, making him a crafty operator who can not only execute forward passes but also break down counter-attacks.
His performances in Germany have been consistently strong, and top clubs across Europe, including Barcelona, have been monitoring his development closely.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl recently admitted that Schlotterbeck is giving ongoing transfer rumours serious consideration.
“I know Nico is giving it a lot of thought,” Kehl said, via Diario SPORT, when asked about interest from clubs such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
However, Kehl remains hopeful of securing the German international’s future at Dortmund, noting: “He’s very attached to Borussia, so I’m optimistic.
“His goal is to succeed and win titles. We’ll be flexible financially and do everything we can to keep him in Dortmund.”
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is reportedly a huge admirer of Schlotterbeck and sees him as a potential replacement for the departed Inigo Martinez.
The German international’s combination of speed, tactical intelligence, and ball-playing ability would fit perfectly into Flick’s preferred high defensive line.
If the move goes through, Schlotterbeck would not only restore solidity at the back but could also offer an upgrade over his predecessor, with a higher ceiling and more versatility in modern defensive tactics.
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