Newcastle suffer fresh Schlotterbeck blow as Freiburg star meets Borussia Dortmund

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Nico Schlotterbeck looks set to snub a move to Newcastle United in successive windows as Sky Germany now claim the Freiburg defender is keen on a transfer to Borussia Dortmund.

Marco Rose is determined to improve his backline at the Westfalenstadion this summer as BVB have proven porous this season. The North Rhine-Westphalia side have already struck a deal for Niklas Sule, and have made Schlotterbeck their number one target to follow him.

No team in the top-half of the Bundesliga table has allowed more goals than Dortmund so far this term. They have now shipped 42 in 28 games after a woeful display at home to RB Leipzig on Saturday, as Rose’s side parted like the red sea to leave goalkeeper Gregor Kobel exposed.

So, Borussia Dortmund are getting serious in their pursuit of Schlotterbeck and met the Freiburg star before the international break. He visited BVB’s facilities as Westfalenstadion officials sought to convince him of the move, which seems to have done the trick, as well.

Schlotterbeck has decided that if Freiburg allow for his exit, he wants to be wearing yellow and black next season. A sticking point, however, is that Breisgau-Brasilianer want €20m (£17m) for the centre-half and BVB are reluctant to pay that much for a 2023 free agent.

Schlotterbeck to snub Newcastle again as Freiburg ace wants Borussia Dortmund

Bayern Munich are not currently a firm rival for the German international as they are not targeting a left-sided centre-half. That would be a boost for Newcastle in the club’s pursuit after 90min noted Eddie Howe maintains his interest as he seeks at least one centre-back.

But the boss’ pursuit looks set to fail for a second time, after 90min reported Schlotterbeck snubbed Newcastle in the January transfer window after the board made Freiburg an offer beyond £40m. He felt making a move to Tyneside was not the right fit for him at the time.

Schlotterbeck has since made his Germany debut, but his Freiburg future is doubtful after sporting director Klemens Hartenbach admitted the chances of him staying at the Europa-Park Stadion are ‘relatively low’, as the defender nears the final year of his contract there.

Now, the ace Germany boss Hansi Flick lauds the ‘quality’ of could be off the table before the market opens. Sky Germany add the Newcastle target wants his future sorted quickly, but Borussia Dortmund have ground to make up to seal his summer transfer from Freiburg.