Report: Arsenal have interest in Nico Schlotterbeck but January transfer unfeasible

Arsenal appear to have a long-standing interest in signing Nico Schlotterbeck, but a transfer for the Borussia Dortmund defender in January is unfeasible.

Nico Schlotterbeck is the latest Borussia Dortmund player to attract the interest of the cash-rich English Premier League, with the Athletic claiming that he is a long-term defensive target for Arsenal. However, the price-point and contract situation of the talented centre-back makes a potential deal in the January transfer window rather infeasible.

Borussia Dortmund only signed Schlotterbeck last year - from SC Freiburg for a fee of around 25 million euros. The 24 year old has been ever-present in the BVB defence since his move from Freiburg, and has already made 63 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Schlotterbeck is considered to be one of the most talented young defenders in Germany. So it is not a surprise that other clubs are interested in signing him. But he has three and a half years left on his current contract and Borussia Dortmund value him very highly, making a sale anytime soon highly unlikely.

The report adds that Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt is another player Arsenal have interest in, but a move for the Netherlands international in the January transfer window seems similarly improbable.

Borussia Dortmund beat out competition from a number of big clubs to sign Nico Schlotterbeck last summer. And the Black and Yellows will hope that he can be an integral part of their defence for years to come - alongside Gregor Kobel and Niklas Süle.