Nico Schlotterbeck remains an option for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe targets another centre-half, despite the Freiburg star snubbing the transfer in January, according to 90min.
The gaffer is keen to continue adding to the St James’ Park backline in the summer to build on Dan Burn’s arrival. He has proven instrumental since leaving Brighton & Hove Albion for Tyneside in a £13m move. Yet, further arrivals remain needed come the end of the season.
Fabian Schar and Paul Dummett are out of contract in June, while Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark will enter the final year of theirs. Fernandez has not featured since December and Clark since January, either, and Howe also left him out of the Premier League squad.
Now, Howe is eager to sign at least one new face and the boss does not rule out two deals. Among the centre-halves on Newcastle’s radar include Schlotterbeck after considering the Freiburg star for a transfer in January. The interest persists as the club are big admirers.
United chiefs believe Schlotterbeck is a huge talent, and bet big on that belief in the winter market. 90min noted at the time Howe offered in excess of £40m for the 22-year-old. But he turned down the chance to move to St James’, with Breisgau-Brasilianer open to selling.
Newcastle to revive Schlotterbeck interest despite Freiburg star’s transfer snub
Schlotterbeck felt a transfer to Newcastle was not the right option for the Freiburg star in mid-season. He is a mainstay at the Europa-Park Stadion with 25 Bundesliga appearances so far this term. He has also scored four, and made his senior Germany debut last week.
Freiburg are also still in contention to win the DFB Pokal, having reached the semi-finals. Yet an exit at the end of the season is possible, and potentially for much less. Sport1 note Breisgau-Brasilianer are only asking for €20m (£17m) as his contract expires in 2023, too.
Schlotterbeck will speak with Freiburg when the campaign concludes to debate his future in Baden-Wurttemberg. He also openly admits a transfer is possible, so Howe could have his chance to bring Schlotterbeck to Newcastle when the club’s top-flight status is settled.
“I’m currently not thinking about my future,” he told Sport1, “I want to finish the season in Freiburg properly. I’m fully focused on the club… I don’t rule out staying in Freiburg, either. I signed a long time back then, and still have a contract until 2023.
“Of course, there’s a possibility that I’ll leave in the summer. A change is very likely, but nothing has been decided yet. We’ll get together after the season. Freiburg has a point of view, and I have mine. If I have the feeling that I can still develop in Freiburg, then I’ll stay.”
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