Freiburg’s sporting director has confirmed interest in Nico Schlotterbeck amid claims that the defender rejected a £40 million move to Premier League strugglers Newcastle United, speaking to Sky.
For a club clinging with their fingernails onto the cliff edge, luring an England international away from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid feels like a one hell of a coup.
Though, if the last two weeks are proof of anything, it’s that a big bank balance only takes you so far.
Trippier might have jumped at the chance to enrol himself in Newcastle’s relegation dogfight. But it seems he is the exception rather than the rule.
Try as they might, the nouveau-riche Tyneside giants have failed to add a new central defender to their ranks despite approaches for Sven Botman, Diego Carlos, James Tarkowski, Benoit Badiashile and more.
Lucas Digne, meanwhile, also looks set to snub Newcastle for Aston Villa.
Is Nico Schlotterbeck right to reject Newcastle move?
According to 90Min, Newcastle are willing to fork over in excess of £40 million for Schlotterbeck. Such a fee would see the Germany U21 star become the biggest signing in the club’s entire history.
Schlotterbeck has rebuffed their advances, however, perhaps awaiting better offers from a club without a single win and just 11 points to their name.
“That we have already had a few conversations with other clubs, who have shown interest in him, is quite clear,” says Jochen Saier of the ball-playing, left-footed centre-half.
Schlotterbeck has also been linked with Bayern Munich. So to a Borussia Dortmund side whose hodge-podge backline tends to fall apart quicker than a house of cards in the eye of a hurricane.
Who now for Newcastle United?
“We will make a good decision together (on Schlotterbeck’s future),” Saier adds.
“But I’m not going to say that he’ll definitely still be with us next season. That would be a bit overconfident.
“We will stay together and now we will not give anyone up (in January). I have a lot of confidence in us. We have a super interesting squad and want to keep our foot on the accelerator.”
Newcastle are, at least, about to strengthen their hand at the other end of the pitch. Chris Wood is on his way to St James’ Park from relegation rivals Burnley.
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