Real Madrid defensive target expected to leave Bundesliga club after UCL debacle – report

Real Madrid have made the signing of a new defender a top priority for the summer transfer window, given David Alaba’s impending departure and Eder Militao’s continued fitness woes.

Several names have been linked with a potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but recent reports suggest that Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck is at the top of the target list for Los Blancos.

After all, the German international is set to enter the final year of his contract with the Black and Yellows this summer and could be availlable for a bargain price.

Schlotterbeck expected to leave Dortmund

Now, according to BILD (h/t AS), Schlotterbeck is very much likely to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer as doubts grow over the club’s sporting project.

This comes after the Black and Yellows’ unexpected collapse in the Champions League, as they were eliminated by Atalanta in the knockout playoff stages – the Bundesliga club succumbed to a 4-1 loss in the second leg after winning the first one 2-0.

Schlotterbeck likely to be on his way out. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

The knockout is seen as another blow to the credibility of the BVB project, with the team already eliminated from the DFB-Pokal early and fallen behind in the Bundesliga.

In this context, the situation of Schlotterbeck, who is on the radar of Real Madrid, becomes even more significant.

The German international has been offered a new contract by Dortmund which would double his salary and come with a release clause. But he has refused to commit so far as the defender seeks guarantees of winning titles beyond the money being offered.

But, considering how things are going so far for Dortmund this season, Schlotterbeck could push to leave in the summer and the Bundesliga giants might not stand in his way if an acceptable offer arrives.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have intensified their monitoring of the left-footed central defender, whose name continues to gain strength at Vadebebas.

Given the strong relations between the two clubs, an agreement could be reached if Schlotterbeck does decide to move on at the end of the season.