Barcelona takes drastic measures to strengthen their defense.

Barcelona have begun making concrete moves in the summer transfer market, with Nico Schlotterbeck emerging as a top target to strengthen their defense.

Barcelona are showing their determination to revamp their defense, with Sporting Director Deco having contacted Nico Schlotterbeck's agent directly in recent days. This move is seen as the first step in a plan to strengthen the depth and quality of the Catalan club's defensive system.

In fact, earlier reports from Spain indicated that Schlotterbeck had been identified by Barcelona as one of their top priorities for the summer. The German center-back currently plays for Borussia Dortmund, with a contract until June 2027 but no agreement yet reached on an extension. This opens up the possibility that Dortmund will consider selling the player if they receive a suitable offer.

Barcelona believe the fee to sign Schlotterbeck could be in the range of 35-42 million euros, a figure considered feasible given the club's tight spending controls. An early approach gives Barca the upper hand, especially as the central defender is attracting interest from several major clubs.

Notably, coach Hansi Flick has given the green light for the Schlotterbeck deal. The German strategist is said to highly value the defensive abilities, tackling skills, and ball-playing of his compatriot, seeing him as a suitable piece for rebuilding Barca's defense in the coming seasons.

From the player's perspective, Schlotterbeck is open to the prospect of playing for Barcelona, ​​but he hasn't made any commitment yet. The 24-year-old center-back wants to focus entirely on the remainder of the season with Dortmund before considering his future. This means Barca will have to be patient and maintain communication to avoid losing their advantage.

The race to sign Schlotterbeck is expected to be anything but easy. Liverpool and Real Madrid are also closely monitoring the situation, ready to enter the fray if the opportunity arises.

Given the instability and criticism surrounding Barcelona's defense, the early targeting of a top-class center-back suggests the club is preparing for a crucial summer.

Source: https://znews.vn/barcelona-manh-tay-va-hang-thu-post1622141.html