Dortmund 'willing to include release clause' in Schlotterbeck deal
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly prepared to agree to a summer release clause to secure the long-term future of defender Nico Schlotterbeck. According to German football legend Lothar Matthäus, the club is willing to meet the player's demand for a €60 million exit clause in a proposed new contract, a key sticking point in negotiations that have been ongoing for months.
Speaking on Sky Germany's Sky90 programme, Matthäus claimed to have inside knowledge of the situation. "I know that Dortmund would be willing to give him this release clause," the 1990 World Cup winner stated. Schlotterbeck's current deal runs until 2027, but both parties have been in discussions over an extension, with the inclusion of a specific release clause for the summer of 2025 emerging as a central issue.
Matthäus suggested the 24-year-old centre-back's motivation is linked to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. "He absolutely wants the release clause included after the World Cup, hoping that he can use the tournament to put himself back in the spotlight," Matthäus explained. The pundit inferred that a strong performance for Germany could elevate Schlotterbeck's profile and create an opportunity for a move to a club he perceives as a step up from Dortmund.
The player himself addressed the talks following Dortmund's Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. "I had a good conversation with Lars Ricken and with Ole Book. The talks will continue this week," Schlotterbeck said. "I think it won't take much longer before I make a decision. I've said it all along: of course I can imagine staying. But all the discussions have to be right."
Since joining from SC Freiburg in the summer of 2022 for a reported €20 million, Nico Schlotterbeck has developed into a mainstay of Dortmund's defence. He was a key part of the team that came close to winning the Bundesliga title in the 2022/23 season and started in their UEFA Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last June. His consistent performances have also made him a regular in the German national team setup under Julian Nagelsmann.
For Dortmund, securing Schlotterbeck's signature on an improved contract, even with a release clause, represents a pragmatic move. It would extend his commitment and provide financial certainty, guaranteeing a significant fee if he departs next summer. The alternative of allowing his contract to run down would see his market value diminish. For Schlotterbeck, the clause offers security and a clear, agreed-upon path to a potential future transfer, should he excel on the world stage and attract concrete interest from Europe's elite clubs.
The coming days are now critical, with further talks scheduled. Dortmund's willingness to compromise on the clause, as reported by Matthäus, indicates a strong desire to conclude the matter positively and avoid a protracted saga that could disrupt their planning for next season.
