Borussia Dortmund unwilling to pay Freiburg demands for Newcastle target Schlotterbeck

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Borussia Dortmund may open the door for Newcastle United to sign reported target Nico Schlotterbeck this summer, as BVB are reluctant to pay the transfer fee Freiburg demand.

That’s according to Sky Germany, who report Westfalenstadion chiefs view Schlotterbeck as their top central defensive target for the off-season. The Bundesliga giants are eager to acquire an upgrade at left centre-back and believe the 22-year-old’s profile will be perfect.

Schlotterbeck has stood out to decision-makers in Dortmund with his performances at the Europa-Park Stadion this season. His age, status as a German international, good mentality and being left-footed are also decisive factors, with BVB lacking options in their academy.

Borussia Dortmund believe there are no defenders in their youth set-up ready to step up and partner in-bound Niklas Sule. Mats Hummels has also severely struggled for form this season, while Manuel Akanji and Dan-Axel Zagadou are likely to leave. Possibly leaving Sule alone.

Yet despite Borussia Dortmund meeting with Schlotterbeck and the defender wanting the transfer, Freiburg’s asking price is proving obstructive. Sky Germany now add the Breisgau-Brasilianer value the German at €25m (£21m), but BVB only want to pay €20m (£16.5m).

Dortmund unwilling to pay Freiburg £21m for Newcastle target Nico Schlotterbeck

BVB are loath to overspend on the centre-half as his contract in Baden-Wurttemberg will expire in 2023. So, Borussia Dortmund’s reluctance could open the door for Newcastle to sign Schlotterbeck from Freiburg if the club bids just £4.5m more than the German giants.

Eddie Howe remains keen to bring Schlotterbeck to Tyneside after his pursuit fell short in January, per 90min. The gaffer wants to sign at least one more centre-half during the off-season to add to Dan Burn’s winter arrival. Who he signed after Schlotterbeck had said no.

Reports by 90min in January claimed the club offered more than £40m for the Waiblingen native before his Germany debut. But Schlotterbeck felt it would be best to stay put until the summer, having entered Hansi Flick’s thoughts for Die Mannschaft for the first time.

Howe now securing the club’s then-uncertain Premier League status could ease the two-cap enforcer’s mind on the move. And the terms needed for Newcastle to usurp Borussia Dortmund to agree Schlotterbeck’s transfer from Freiburg are far from insurmountable.