Newcastle United target Nico Schlotterbeck has reportedly held a secret meeting with Borussia Dortmund over a potential transfer this summer.
According to Sky Germany, the 22-year-old defender and his entourage have held discussions with the Bundesliga giants, with Schlotterbeck open to joining Dortmund after a breakout season in the German top-flight with Freiburg.
The centre-back has been one of the best defenders in Germany this season, with Schlotterbeck winning his first international cap for Die Mannschaft last month and attracting serious interest from the likes of Newcastle, Bayern Munich and Dortmund.
However, it is Marco Rose’s side, who lost 4-1 last Saturday to RB Leipzig, that look on track to sign Schlotterbeck, with the Bundesliga giants now holding a secret meeting with the defender in Dortmund to sell the project to the defender.
As per the report, Freiburg value the defender at €20m (£17m). However, Schlotterbeck could now be sold at a much higher fee given the growing interest in the Newcastle and Dortmund target as well as his recent debut for Germany’s national team.
Indeed, Schlotterbeck’s future will be one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. Yet given Dortmund’s efficiency in the transfer market and this recent update of secret talks, Newcastle could have now missed their chance to sign the talented defender.
Newcastle will have to do something special to snap Schlotterbeck from Dortmund’s grasp
Newcastle’s summer window is set to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the off-season, yet for Schlotterbeck, it will take something special for the Toon to beat Dortmund to the 22-year-old defender.
Indeed, with the centre-back interested in a move to the German giants and talks between the club directly happening, Newcastle will have to pull magic out of a hat to land Schlotterbeck at this stage.
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