Barcelona edge closer to signing a €40m Borussia Dortmund gem in a high-stakes January deal that could transform their squad.
Defensive lapses, an unconvincing replacement plan after Íñigo Martínez’s exit to Al Nassr, and the need for a ball-playing profile who can both defend space and initiate buildup have pushed Barça to treat this position as a priority for next summer.
With Premier League money hovering around many targets and Bayern and Real Madrid also circling the market, Barcelona know they must move smartly rather than simply expensively, leaning on relationships, timing, and fit rather than just wage offers.
The player in question is Nico Schlotterbeck, whose contract talks with Borussia Dortmund have stalled after he rejected an offer believed to be around €8 million per year, signalling he is considering more than just a pay rise when weighing his next step, as reported by Fichajes.
That refusal has opened a window for clubs ready to act decisively, and Barcelona are now viewed as one of the front-runners, alongside Bayern, Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester City, in early betting markets that reflect how traders and analysts see the race rather than any final decision.
Schlotterbeck has reportedly cooled on a Premier League move, softening Liverpool’s chances, while Bayern’s attention is said to be focused on Dayot Upamecano, potentially reducing their urgency to step in.
Crucially, Flick’s history with the defender matters: the Barcelona coach handed Schlotterbeck his Germany debut and has publicly praised his temperament, positioning, and ability to read the game.
Should the transfer materialise, he would arrive with clear expectations—steady the defence, play from the back, and assume leadership responsibility in a team that desperately needs defensive certainty to match its offensive potential.
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