By Christian Kunz and Manuel Schwarz, dpa
“I will not talk about a player from the opposing team ahead of such a match,” Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl told reporters on Friday.
“I think that we have very good centre backs in Janathan Tah, Kim Minjae and Upa [Dayot Upamecano].”
Upamecano has priority
Upamecano’s contract expires after the season amid reported big interest from clubds from abroad, and Eberl said renewing the France international’s contract was a top priority for Bayern.
Eberl said that only if “certain issues should arise then we will go to the market and take a look at the market.”
Matthäus weighs in
Former Bayern and Germany captain Lothar Matthäus said on Friday that “Schlotterbeck would definitely be more than just an alternative if the Upamecano deal doesn’t work out. Then it would almost be a must to bring him to Munich.”
Matthäus cited Schlotterbeck’s vast Bundesliga experience and that he has played alongside Tah in the national team.
Figurehead Schlotterbeck
Germany centre back Schlotterbeck, 25, has been at Dortmund since 2022 and has a contract until 2027. He has just returned from a long injury lay-off and is a key player for club and country.
Should Schlotterbeck not want to renew his contract, Dortmund would only get a fee next summer. Munich are said to be interested, and so are reportedly other clubs such as Premier League champions Liverpool.
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Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken told broadcasters RTL/ntv and sport.de that while they defnitely want to renew with Schlotterbeck as a team figurehead they are not in a hurry.
“I don’t think we have to become hectic,” Ricken said, adding that the situation is “fully OK” as it is now.
Big Dortmund commitment
Schlotterbeck said last week while at the German national team that he has nothing to say on the issue.
Ricken highlighted the player’s Dortmund commitment in his return from injury.
“He took a certain health risk for his team-mates, for the club, for the fans. So there is a great deal of trust and closeness,” Ricken said.
“It’s a matter of coming up with a joint plan, and we will all take the time to hold these discussions.”
Kovac relaxed as well
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac told Sky TV he doesn’t believe Schlotterbeck is overly concerned about his future.
“What I see is entirely positive. Schlotti is completely committed to this club. He enjoys every minute he spends in the black and yellow shirt, so I’m not worried about the future. The focus is on the present, and he’s very important to us right now,” Kovac said.
