Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck admits it is ‘very likely’ he will leave Freiburg this summer amid reports of a £17 million move to Premier League outfit Newcastle United, speaking to Sport1.
It’s fair to say this is not how Schlotterbeck wanted his debut for the German national team to pan out.
Fortunately for him, Hansi Flick’s side were already 2-0 up in Saturday’s friendly clash with Israel when the 22-year-old centre-back was caught dawdling on the ball, giving away the most needless of penalties late on in Sinsheim.
Mistakes like this have been few and far between for Schlotterbeck at club level however. He is the rock at the heart of a well-drilled Freiburg side punching above their weight and pushing for a Champions League place.
Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have been linked.
Newcastle United too, with Schlotterbeck expected to cost in the region of £17 million (90Min).
Is Nico Schlotterbeck on the move?
“I don’t rule out staying at Freiburg,” admits the ball-playing defender, who’s scored four goals this term. “I signed for a long time and still have a contract until 2023.
“Of course, there is a possibility that I will leave in the summer. A transfer is very likely, but nothing has been decided yet.
“We will sit down together after the season. Freiburg has a point of view and I have mine. If I feel that I can still develop at Freiburg, then I’ll stay.”
“I’m not thinking about my future at the moment. I want to finish the season properly at Freiburg. The higher we finish in the table, the better. We also have a great chance to win the DFB-Pokal.
“I’m concentrating fully on the club.”
Schlotterbeck has described playing regularly at the top end of the Bundesliga the culmination of a childhood dream. But he did admit, only a few weeks ago, that he would be interested in the idea of leaving Freiburg for a club in the Premier League.
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