Nico Schlotterbeck has told the Stuttgarter Zeitung he is keeping his options open and does not rule out staying at SC Freiburg, amid reports Newcastle United have bid for his transfer.
The German international has been a prime target for VfB Stuttgart Sporting Director Sven Mislintat since last summer. But Schlotterbeck quickly rejected the Mercedes-Benz Arena natives ahead of the season as he was confident of his place under boss Christian Streich.
Schlotterbeck has no regrets over his decision to snub Mislintat after holding talks with Die Roten. And he is again ready to stay at the Europa-Park Stadion this month, having broken into Die Mannschaft. But his future is a topic of speculation as his contract expires in 2023.
Newcastle have looked into signing Schlotterbeck from Freiburg during the January transfer window to improve boss Eddie Howe’s backline. 90min report the Toon even made an offer exceeding £40m for the 22-year-old. But he felt the move was not the right one right now.
Yet the Toon have maintained their interest, and the Daily Mail note revived talks with SC. United may have to strike now, as Bayern Munich are considering a move in the summer.
Schlotterbeck refuses to rule out staying at Freiburg amid Newcastle bid
Howe could have some persuading to do to convince Schlotterbeck to accept a transfer to Newcastle from Freiburg this month. He refuses to rule out staying in the Bundesliga under Streich. As the centre-half will only listen to offers for moves he feels are appropriate.
“It’s very possible that there’s nowhere to go, and that I’ll stay in Freiburg,” Schlotterbeck explained. “I have to see what the next step is for me, and it’s far from impossible that I’ll take it at SC. We can’t all know that yet.
“But it was not without reason that I signed a long-term contract with SC… [Germany boss] Hansi Flick expects me to remain courageous. It also distinguishes me that I act a lot in the game structure. He told me that I can do more there, because I sometimes rest a bit there.
“I hope that I will continue to be invited if I’ll play like I did in the first half of the season.”
Schlotterbeck has been a near mainstay of the Freiburg backline, to convince Newcastle to bid over £40m for his transfer. Flick also named him in a Germany squad for the first time in September, although he is yet to debut.
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