The speculation around Nico Schlotterbeck and Real Madrid is over. The Borussia Dortmund defender, according to Bild, will sign his contract extension with the German club in the coming hours.

According to this report, the player will sign until 2031 with a salary of 14 million euros, well above what Real Madrid was willing to pay him. Thus ends another opportunity to reinforce the defense ahead of next season.

Signing an elite center back becomes a bit more complicated for Real Madrid after Dayot Upamecano's extension with Bayern. Schlotterbeck's move to Borussia Dortmund is the second extension that spoils Los Blancos' plans, as they are running out of top-level options at a reasonable price to improve their defense.

"I am absolutely convinced that he will stay at Borussia Dortmund. This team is characterized by its eras, and a new one is coming. The club is changing a bit at the moment, and Schlotterbeck can become the face of a new era," said Matthias Sammer, the center back's agent, in statements to Sky. Sammer was one of the great symbols of Dortmund during his playing days, and he wants Schlotterbeck to continue at Signal Iduna Park.

After these statements, Bild announced that the agreement is imminent: for 5 seasons, until 2031, and with a salary of 14 million euros per year. After Sebastian Kehl's departure from Borussia's sporting management, his successor, Nils-Ole Book, is close to closing this operation.

For its part, Real Madrid will have to continue searching the market for the ideal center back to reinforce the defense. Of the options that were being considered months ago, only the option of Ibrahima Konate remains alive, the only one of those with expiring contracts who has not yet signed an extension or changed clubs. Also remaining on the market are options such as Tottenham's Cristian Romero, although it would be an economically demanding signing, or the possible return of Jacobo Ramon, who is now at Como.

All this, without knowing what will happen with players like Antonio Rudiger or David Alaba, who finish their contracts with Real Madrid and will likely leave the club in the coming months. The Austrian's case is clear, while the German's is still to be decided.

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