Borussia Dortmund interested in signing Xaver Schlager but transfer fee could be an obstacle

Borussia Dortmund are said to be interested in signing Wolfsburg midfielder Xaver Schlager, but the potential transfer fee could make a move for him difficult.

Borussia Dortmund are looking for a new defensive midfielder and Xaver Schlager is one of the names they are keeping an eye on. Ruhr Nachrichten have now confirmed Dortmund’s interest in signing the Wolfsburg midfielder, with the newspaper claiming that Marco Rose is a big fan of him.

Rose coached Schlager when they were both at RB Salzburg, and he even praised the 24 year old ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s game against VfL Wolfsburg last weekend. The duo even share the same agent, and Schlager’s contract with Wolfsburg expires at the end of next season.

But according to Ruhr Nachrichten, Schlager has a release clause in his contract that is considered to be rather unrealistic. The exit clause is said to be in excess of 40 million euros. But with just over 12 months left on the Austrian international’s contract, Wolfsburg may be forced to sell him for a cheaper fee this summer in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2023.

Konrad Laimer is another midfielder who has been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund in recent weeks. But Ruhr Nachrichten believe that with Bayern Munich and Manchester United interested in signing him, the Black and Yellows are unlikely to enter the race for his signature.

Xaver Schlager, on the other hand, could be a more realistic option for Borussia Dortmund if the two clubs can overcome the obstacle of the transfer fee.