Winds of change are set to blow at the Signal Iduna Park this summer as Borussia Dortmund are on course to offload many of their first-team stars.
Midfielder Julian Brandt is confirmed to depart after his contract is up in June, while Niklas Sule and Salih Ozcan are headed through the exit door too.
There are rumors that Dortmund could also add stars such as Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy on their transfer list for the summer to raise their budget.
Now, managing director Lars Ricken has revealed that there's another player who could be sold this summer too, Nico Schlotterbeck.
A rock in Dortmund's backline, Schlotterbeck has been linked to Real Madrid in recent times although conflicting reports suggested he's close to signing an extension.
The German international though, came clean on his situation after the international break and poured cold water over all rumors of penning a new deal.
Dortmund CEO Ricken has offered an update on the situation around the 26-year-old, saying there's three options and they are assessing each of them. He told BILD:
""There are three options. That we extend his contract, that we sell him this summer - or we enter the last year of his contract. We all want to avoid the last option. It wouldn't be good for either us or Nico.""said Ricken
That's because Dortmund would then lose him on a Bosman and the club rarely lets any of their top player leave for free as they have a history of cashing in.
Schlotterbeck's contract runs until 2027 but more importantly, his sale could generate a lucrative sum as the player wouldn't have any short of suitors.
Joining from Freiburg in 2022, the centre-back has established himself among the best defenders in Europe with his resolute displays.
Under Kovac's tutelage, he's developed into a mean figure in defense with his positional awareness and prolific ability to win duels while also chipping in with occasional goals.
Dortmund are not hurrying the case as Ricken reveals that things are moving forward 'within the time frame'.
"It might make sense in some cases, but not in this case. The discussions are respectful and confidential, so we don't want to put any additional pressure on them. And why should we limit ourselves as long as we stay completely within the time frame we agreed upon?""he concluded
Schlotterbeck has made 155 appearances for Dortmund, including 106 in the Bundesliga while scoring 10 goals.