“We’ll have to stretch ourselves” – Kehl opens up on Dortmund’s contract talks with star duo

Sebastian Kehl knows Borussia Dortmund will have to go the extra mile to tie key players like Karim Adeyemi and Nico Schlotterbeck down to new contracts.

Borussia Dortmund are aiming to extend the contracts of key duo Karim Adeyemi and Nico Schlotterbeck beyond 2027.

BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl offered insight into the ongoing negotiations during an interview on ZDF’s Aktuelles Sportstudio.

“Of course, we’ll have to stretch ourselves for players like these,” Kehl said.

“Karim is one of them, also Nico Schlotterbeck. We have a few good guys whose contracts expire in two years.”

Following Schlotterbeck’s return from a long-term injury, Kehl confirmed that talks with the centre-back will resume, adding that he is “quite confident” of reaching an agreement with him.

“Of course we want to try to keep these players in the Bundesliga and at Borussia Dortmund. We’ll use all our means and a lot of persuasion to achieve that. I believe we have plenty of arguments, and above all there’s a strong trust relationship. I also think the players are really motivated to make a mark internationally with us,” he said.

At the same time, Kehl acknowledged the reality of the transfer market:

“Sometimes, if a big club comes along, we will eventually have to say: okay, then you have to go.”