Real Madrid dismisses €50 million German defender as option

Real Madrid have confirmed, via Fabrizio Romano, that they never entered advanced negotiations for Borussia Dortmund centre‑back Nico Schlotterbeck, whose release clause is set at roughly €50 million, and therefore the German defender is not a transfer target for this summer. Rumours linking Schlotterbeck with Real Madrid gained momentum after the club secured the arrival of Ibrahima Konate. The speculation intensified when reports noted a release clause in his new Dortmund contract that could trigger a €50 million fee. Romano clarified that Schlotterbeck was never a concrete target for the Spanish giants this summer. He added that the defender was never close to signing for Real Madrid.

Endrick’s Lyon loan fuels Real Madrid’s plans after World Cup impact

The German international recently extended his stay with Borussia Dortmund, with his agreement allowing selected clubs to sign him for around €50 million under specific conditions. This clause naturally fueled further speculation about a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Schlotterbeck suffered an ankle injury while representing Germany at the World Cup, an issue expected to keep him out for about two months. The injury will cause him to miss the remainder of the tournament and could also sideline him for the opening weeks of the new La Liga campaign. Real Madrid’s coaching staff prefer any new arrival to be immediately available for pre‑season training and quick integration. Consequently, the defender’s injury reduced his appeal compared with fully fit alternatives the club continues to monitor. The search for defensive reinforcements therefore remains open as the Spanish side looks elsewhere.