Dortmund plan to include a release clause in Schlotterbeck's contract extension

On January 20 local time, according to Bild, Borussia Dortmund is willing to break its long-standing principle to entice Schlotterbeck to renew his contract by including a release clause in the new deal, which would become active starting in the summer of 2027.

Currently, Schlotterbeck continues to "wait and see." In the upcoming Champions League match against Tottenham, the defender has another opportunity to prove himself and showcase his value to Europe's top clubs.

However, according to Bild, those heavyweight suitors have now become more cautious in their evaluations and are gradually withdrawing from the race. This shift is also linked to Schlotterbeck’s recent inconsistent form—he has been unable to consistently deliver world-class performances.

Bayern Munich, having nearly finalized a contract extension with Upamecano, currently has no urgent need for new defensive signings. Real Madrid, despite being short on defensive personnel, has not yet planned any concrete transfer moves. Barcelona, meanwhile, must allocate its limited funds primarily toward strengthening its attacking line. Liverpool, for its part, exited the race weeks ago.

Meanwhile, confidence within Borussia Dortmund is growing that they can successfully convince Schlotterbeck to extend his stay at the club (his current contract expires in 2027). Last week, the player’s representatives held a crucial meeting with Dortmund’s management. Bild has learned that Dortmund has prepared a new, more specific retention plan and is even willing to abandon a long-held club principle to make it happen.

Dortmund’s new “bait” is to include a release clause in a new long-term contract for the German international. Starting in the summer of 2027, top European clubs could sign him by paying a release fee exceeding €60 million.

This move is seen as an irreversible turning point in the club’s history. Back in 2013, after Götze’s €37 million transfer to Bayern, then-CEO Watzke had declared release clauses strictly off-limits at Dortmund. However, in recent years, this stance has gradually softened—earlier, Dortmund accepted a release clause in forward Guirassy’s contract, and the €70 million figure set last summer has since been continuously reduced.

Another key card Dortmund holds in negotiations is a significantly improved salary offer. The club is prepared to offer Schlotterbeck a contract worth approximately €14 million per year, placing him among the highest-paid players at the club, on par with Süle—whose salary is reportedly a key benchmark in the talks.

Moreover, there are rumors that Dortmund is even considering further increasing the salary to accelerate Schlotterbeck’s decision to sign. As early as last autumn, Dortmund had offered him a renewal worth up to roughly €10 million annually, but Schlotterbeck did not accept it at the time.

Through this comprehensive new long-term proposal, Dortmund hopes to provide clear mutual security for the future. The club would no longer need to search for a new defensive leader and could firmly establish Schlotterbeck as a symbolic figure for the team’s future.

For Schlotterbeck, finalizing an extension in the coming weeks would allow him to fully focus on the second half of the season and preparations for the upcoming World Cup. He remains a strong candidate to eventually inherit the captain’s armband at Dortmund; at the same time, he could solidify his status as a fan favorite without sacrificing the possibility of joining a true elite club later to compete for major honors.

This is Dortmund’s vision.

But in reality, Dortmund is still anxiously waiting, uncertain whether Schlotterbeck will actually accept these new contract terms.