Dortmund willing to offer record salary to keep Schlotterbeck

Borussia Dortmund management are rumoured to be willing to offer Nico Schlotterbeck a record-high salary to keep the defender in Black and Yellow.

According to Bild, the club are willing to pay Schlotterbeck an annual salary of up to €14 million, including bonuses. The current top earner at Dortmund is Niklas Sule, who currently earns €12.5 million including bonuses.

While this would be a record-high for the club, it pales in comparison to the wages of Bayern Munich. Twelve Bayern players already earn the same or more than Sule. Harry Kane alone receives a whopping €31.25 million annually including bonuses, according to Capology.

The 26-year-old could command an even higher salary at any other top club in Europe, many of whom are already circling. Barcelona have recently emerged as the front-runners, while Liverpool and Bayern are also interested. Schlotterbeck’s transfer value is rumoured to be around €40 million.

In late November, when asked about a contract extension for the defender, Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said: “We’re fighting for Nico, I remain optimistic.”

If the centre-back were to extend his stay at Dortmund, he would almost certainly become captain in the next season, to lead the next generation of Dortmund. Disappointing results such as Wednesday night’s draw with Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt — after which Schlotterbeck openly criticised the team — make it harder to imagine him committing his future to the Westfalenstadion.

In his post-game interview, signalling deep frustration with the team’s mentality,  Schlotterbeck said: “A winner’s mentality means killing the game off. We didn’t manage to do that at all.” 

Remaining at Dortmund would mean greater responsibility, and the prospect of becoming an icon of the club, like Marco Reus or Mats Hummels. The decision ultimately rests with Schlotterbeck, and the summer will reveal whether his plans for the future involve Dortmund.