Heavily linked to Real Madrid players has signed a new contract at his current club, but with a release clause that should get Los Blancos fans excited
As always, there is plenty of debate over who Real Madrid should sign this summer, but there is a general consensus that at least one central defender will be required.
David Alaba is set to leave on a free transfer; Antonio Rudiger has still not signed a new contract, and his deal is expiring; Dean Huijsen has had some teething issues; and Raul Asencio is clearly not up to the level.
Meanwhile, Eder Militao - undoubtedly the club's best defender - is very injury-prone and cannot be relied upon to start more than 30 league games every season. So, it is clear that reinforcements are needed in that position.
A number of center-backs have been linked, but more than any other, Borussia Dortmund and Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck. The defender's future is uncertain.
Well, yesterday, the 26-year-old signed a contract extension at Dortmund until 2021. His previous deal was set to expire in the summer of 2027, so it is clear they did not want to risk losing him for free.
As a result, many Real Madrid fans' immediate reaction was to assume that this potential deal was now off the table and that he would stay at the German side for the foreseeable future. However, that is certainly not the case.
Indeed, as reported by BILD and other sources, Schlotterbeck has a release clause worth "50-60 million Euros" that will be valid from this summer onwards.
Interestingly, they report that the release clause is unique to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, rather than to any other club. They report that the two sides are the player's "dream clubs".
Meanwhile, the BILD report states that Bayern are "unlikely" to make a move for the defender, after Dayot Upamecano extended his contract until 2030 earlier this year, whilst sporting director Max Eberl is "unconvinced" of his qualities.
Therefore, it feels as if Real Madrid wants Schlotterbeck; they have a free run at him. Dortmund would not be able to negotiate any fee for him if Los Blancos activate the release clause.
So, would it be a good signing? The German international is one of the best ball-playing defenders in the world, known for his ability to play out from the back and play accurate long balls. He also has a goal.
There is no doubt that Real Madrid's build-up has often been stodgy and predictable at times this season. For that alone, he would be a productive signing. This feels like a sensible move.
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