According to the German media "Bild", Dortmund's senior management now regards renewing Schloterbeck's contract as a key task and is willing to provide him with a salary increase and the captain's armband. It also believes that Bayern has no urgent need for the defender.
The report stated that in Dortmund, the most important high-level task at present is to complete the contract extension with the 25-year-old Schlotterbeck. It is reported that he already has a contract offer that can be signed at any time. The contract period is until 2030 and the future annual salary can reach 8 million euros plus bonuses. But it's clear that Schlotterbeck is still hesitant and wants to wait until next spring to decide on his future.
Despite this, Dortmund's top brass are ready to make every effort to keep the Germany international. "Bild" took stock of Dortmund's contract renewal strategy planned to impress Schloterbeck:
► Brandt's captain's armband gift:
Vice-captain Brandt took the initiative to give up the captain's armband to third captain Schloterbeck in the German Cup match against Frankfurt. This move is extremely beneficial to the management with sports general manager Ricken and sports director Kyle as the core: on the one hand, the defender feels the full trust of the team.
On the other hand, he can really feel like Dortmund's captain now. Even captain Emre Can, who is expected to return at the end of November due to an adductor injury and will only be able to play on a limited basis after his return, may agree with Brandt's reasoning that the captaincy "needs more continuity, a clear contact point in the team", so he will not immediately ask to take back the armband. By next season, Schlotterbeck is expected to be officially named team captain.
► New championship prospects:
The main reason for Schloterbeck's hesitation is: he wants to observe the development of the club first and carefully evaluate whether he can really win the championship with Dortmund in the future. Dortmund's penalty shootout victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the second round of the DFB-Pokal this week at least broadened his title prospects. However, Schlotterbeck also knows that big dreams like a league title or a Champions League title may only be realized elsewhere.
► Salary cap:
According to "Bild", the club's top management is ready to make an exception financially for Schloterbeck. Because they know very well that, just like the negotiation with Adeyemi, it will be more expensive to find a replacement of the same level. It is reported that the basic annual salary required by Schlotterbeck has reached the level of tens of millions of euros.
► Special Note:
CEO Watzke has already communicated with Schloterbeck during his time with the national team, although in principle he does not want to get involved in competitive matters. He made it clear to Schloterbeck what it means to be a legend like Hummels at Dortmund. Head coach Niko Kovac was also involved in the negotiations. He shares the same values as Schloterbeck: hard work, intensity, and the desire to win.
► Emotional factors:
This is the part that Dortmund’s senior executives rely heavily on in their conversations. The Schlotterbeck family has long been deeply infected by the "yellow black" and often participates in away games with the team. They can live in Schlotterbeck's house in the south of Dortmund at any time.
► Yu Pamecano's factors:
Bayern hopes to extend the expiring contract with Yu Pamecano, so it has not yet prepared any specific signing plan for Schloterbeck. Dortmund executives are optimistic that Bayern will not even have a need for Schloterback.
"Bild" host Marcel Reif said: "A player like Schloterbeck, who can pass the ball 60 meters to the other side with surgical precision after winning the confrontation - this is the top level among central defenders, and everyone knows this. But Dortmund is an ambitious club that can steadily guarantee you to play in the Champions League. There you have your own status, you will become the captain, and play in front of that yellow and black wall."
source:7m vn cn