Report: Arsenal tried to sign Nico Schlotterbeck in January
Arsenal reportedly made an attempt to sign Nico Schlotterbeck during the January transfer window, only to be told that the defender’s preference was to stay in Germany.
Borussia Dortmund completed the signing of Nico Schlotterbeck earlier this month, with the German international joining the club from SC Freiburg for a transfer fee of 20 million euros plus bonuses. A number of other clubs, including Bayern Munich, were also interested in signing the highly rated defender. But he chose to join the Black and Yellows on a five year contract.
It is now being reported that Arsenal also wanted to sign Schlotterbeck during the January transfer window. But according to the Athletic, they were told that his preference was to stay in Germany.
Arsenal were not the only English Premier League team interested in signing Nico Schlotterbeck. Reports in England previously claimed that the defender was also a target for Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
But Borussia Dortmund came out on top in the race for Schlotterbeck’s signature in the end. Incoming sporting director Sebastian Kehl even said that the 22 year old rejected better offers from other clubs to make the switch to BVB.
Nico Schlotterbeck is coming off an impressive breakthrough campaign with SC Freiburg, and has established himself as one of the top defenders in the Bundesliga. He made 38 appearances across all competitions in the recently concluded season and played a crucial role as SC Freiburg qualified for next season’s UEFA Europa League and also reached the final of the DFB-Pokal.