Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck next summer.
The 25-year-old made the move to Dortmund from Freiburg in 2022, and he has represented his current side on 107 occasions in all competitions, contributing six goals and 14 assists in the process.
This season, Schlotterbeck has featured on 20 occasions for BVB, providing four assists, but he is facing a spell on the sidelines with the ankle injury that he picked up against Barcelona in the Champions League last week.
The Germany international has a contract with Dortmund until June 2027, but there is currently speculation surrounding his future, with a number of clubs believed to be admirers of the defender.
According to Real Madrid Confidencial, Real Madrid are keen on Schlotterbeck, with Los Blancos believing that an offer in the region of €60m (£50m) would be enough to secure his services during next summer's transfer window.
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Real Madrid 'keen on summer deal' for Schlotterbeck
Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero and Al-Nassr's Aymeric Laporte are among the centre-backs to be linked with moves to Real Madrid, but it is thought that Schlotterbeck is now emerging as the leading target.
It is understood that the German's versatility makes him an even more attractive proposition for Los Blancos, as he is also capable of playing as a left-back, which is another problematic area for the club.
Ferland Mendy is out of contract next summer, and there is currently uncertainty when it comes to the Frenchman's future, while Fran Garcia is not guaranteed a long-term future in the Spanish capital.
Alphonso Davies has allegedly been Real Madrid's leading left-back target, but it has been claimed that the club are considering pulling out of the race for the Canadian, who only has a deal with Bayern Munich until the end of the campaign.
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Real Madrid currently have a host of defensive issues
Raul Asencio has recently benefitted from Real Madrid's injury problems, while Aurelien Tchouameni is being required to play in the middle of the defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Indeed, Eder Militao is out for the season with another ACL injury, while David Alaba has been out with a serious knee injury of his own since last December.
Alaba is due back on the field in January, but it will take some time for the Austrian to return to his top level, and bringing in a new centre-back is viewed as a priority for Carlo Ancelotti's side in 2025.
Jesus Vallejo is another first-team centre-back at Bernabeu, but the Spaniard has only played 10 minutes of football this season and does not feature in Ancelotti's plans.
Matt Law
