Barcelona handed huge boost as key defensive target decides to leave current club - report

Barcelona have received a major boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, as Fichajes reports that the 26-year-old has now made the internal decision to leave the Bundesliga club.
The development places Barça in a favourable position ahead of the 2026 summer window, in which elite European sides are expected to battle for his signature.
Schlotterbeck has rapidly become one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe.
Although his contract at Dortmund runs until 2027, and even with a renewal offer already on the table, the German international is attracting interest from some of the biggest institutions, including Barcelona, who see him as an ideal addition to reinforce Hansi Flick’s defensive structure for the long term.
What made him take this decision?
The likelihood of his departure increased dramatically following Dortmund’s surprising Champions League draw against Bodø.
In the aftermath, Schlotterbeck made unusually strong public comments criticising the club’s sporting direction.
For a player considered one of the leaders inside the dressing room, these statements sent shockwaves through German football.
They also intensified uncertainty behind the scenes at Dortmund, where relations between the defender and the board are reportedly strained.
With tension rising and the player’s ambitions now at odds with the club’s current trajectory, a summer exit appears more probable than ever.
Schlotterbeck wants a project that matches his competitive expectations, and several top clubs are ready to offer exactly that.
Significant competition
Among the interested parties, Bayern Munich consider him a strategic signing to strengthen their defence with a German international entering his prime years.
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Real Madrid both view him as a rare market opportunity—a physically imposing defender with the technical quality needed to fit seamlessly into their footballing philosophies.
Dortmund, aware of the growing demand and the player’s elite profile, are expected to command a significant transfer fee.
For Barcelona, the news could not be more encouraging.
With defensive reinforcements high on the club’s agenda, Schlotterbeck’s decision to move on opens a door that the Catalans will undoubtedly look to push wide open in the coming months.