Real Madrid’s strong relationship with Bundesliga giants could pave the way for defensive signing

Real Madrid have been scanning the transfer market for some time in search of potential reinforcements at centre-back.

David Alaba will leave this summer when his contract expires and it remains to be seen whether Antonio Rudiger might do the same, depending on how his body responds between now and the end of the season.

William Saliba was on the agenda but renewed with Arsenal, as Dayot Upamecano did with FC Bayern Munich. Ibrahima Konate is out of contract at Liverpool but does not convince.

The name now gaining the most strength is that of Nico Schlotterbeck, the 26-year-old German centre-back whose contract with Borussia Dortmund runs until June 2027.

Real Madrid and Dortmund have a strong relationship

Borussia Dortmund are always a difficult club with whom to negotiate and Schlotterbeck is a highly valued player at Signal Iduna Park.

However, according to AS, Real Madrid start with a certain advantage thanks to the excellent relationship between the two clubs, built over many years.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the former Dortmund CEO for two decades and the current club president, considers himself a personal friend of Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez and general director Jose Angel Sanchez.

Schlotterbeck a target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

Even during moments of disagreement, such as over the Super League issue, that relationship did not falter and is expected to continue forward.

The relationship has produced positive outcomes in both directions. The most recent example is Jude Bellingham, signed by Real Madrid from Dortmund in 2023 for €103 million, plus a further €30 million in variables.

Despite interest from other clubs offering better financial terms to the player, Watzke’s advice proved decisive in Bellingham choosing Los Blancos.

Before that, there were others: Nuri Sahin joined Madrid in 2011 and returned to Dortmund in 2014, Achraf Hakimi spent two strong seasons in Germany on loan, Reinier Jesus also moved there although he did not establish himself.

There were also operations that did not come to fruition but in which Dortmund were nonetheless willing to assist Real Madrid. That was the case with Erling Haaland, who left for Manchester City via a release clause.

The player’s decision prevailed, but Dortmund, kept the Merengues informed as far as possible.

This positive relationship could end up helping Real Madrid if they decide to act on their interest in Nico Schlotterbeck.