Ricken on Dortmund’s contract talks with Nico Schlotterbeck: “There’s no deadline”

Borussia Dortmund are taking “the necessary time” in negotiations over Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract and haven’t set a deadline, says Lars Ricken.

Borussia Dortmund are in ongoing talks with key defender Nico Schlotterbeck over a contract beyond 2027, but the club don’t want to rush the process.

“There’s no deadline,” BVB managing director for sport Lars Ricken told DAZN on Sunday.

“Why should we set one? Why should we put ourselves under pressure or rule anything out? Of course, as a club, we always want decisions as quickly as possible, but sometimes you need to take the necessary time. He still has a contract until 2027.”

Ricken added: “We’re discussing a long-term contract. We’re in good dialogue, but of course he wants to make this decision carefully.”

Schlotterbeck made headlines with an angry outburst following Dortmund’s 2-2 draw with Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League last week.

For Ricken, the centre-back’s reaction underlines his commitment to the club.

“We know what he needs. He also knows what he has with this club. And you could see that in his reaction. No player who’s done with a club reacts like that. That emotion shows his identification with the team. We won’t give a status update now – these conversations are far too confidential for that.”