Potential €180 Million Dilemma Looms for BVB: Could a Central Axis Crumble Shortly After the World Cup?

Nico Schlotterbeck and Felix Nmecha have earned starting spots in the German national team, impressing in their World Cup opener against Curaçao. Despite recent contract extensions with BVB, both players could potentially depart the club this summer.

As often is the case, the German national team is heavily supported by a contingent from FC Bayern at this World Cup. This includes goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, captain Joshua Kimmich, defensive leader Jonathan Tah, playmaker Aleksandar Pavlovic, and creative force Jamal Musiala. The promising left-back Nathaniel Brown is also expected to join this group soon, with a €55 million transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt to Munich reportedly imminent.

While Borussia Dortmund currently has only two players in the German starting lineup, center-back Nico Schlotterbeck (26) and defensive midfielder Felix Nmecha (25) played pivotal roles in Germany’s dominant 7-1 victory over Curaçao. Nmecha opened the scoring with the 1-0 lead, and while Schlotterbeck had a minor mishap leading to the equalizer, he more than made up for it with a crucial header for the vital 2-1 lead. Nmecha then earned the penalty that secured the decisive 3-1 advantage.

Beyond their goal contributions, both players delivered convincing performances, with Nmecha in particular receiving widespread praise. Germany’s win against Curaçao was thus also a success for the small Dortmund contingent within the squad. However, this stellar performance simultaneously fuels doubts about how long this duo will remain a «Dortmund faction.» After all, there’s no better stage to attract the attention of top international clubs than a World Cup.

Schlotterbeck and Nmecha Extended with BVB – With Release Clauses

Schlotterbeck and Nmecha have become undisputed cornerstones of BVB in recent years. Consequently, there was immense relief in Dortmund when they extended their contracts in the spring: Schlotterbeck until 2031 and Nmecha until 2030. Even at the time of signing, it seemed unlikely they would stay in Dortmund for the full duration. Now, however, it appears even plausible that both might never play for BVB again, despite their recent extensions.

Schlotterbeck proactively included a special World Cup release clause in his contract. Until one week after the final on July 19th, he can move to one of three selected top clubs for €50 to €60 million. Consistent reports indicate that Real Madrid and FC Liverpool are among these clubs, but not FC Bayern.

New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is reportedly very interested in Schlotterbeck, and the fixed transfer fee would not be an issue for the Madrid club. «Good players are always welcome. I would be very happy,» said Antonio Rüdiger on Wednesday at the DFB training camp in Winston-Salem. Rüdiger recently extended his contract at Real and would be competing for playing time with Schlotterbeck if he were to transfer there.

Could Nmecha Become BVB’s Third Most Expensive Sale?

Nmecha also possesses a release clause. However, this clause only becomes active in the summer of 2027, initially set at €80 million, and a year later at €70 million. The crucial difference to Schlotterbeck is that BVB can freely negotiate a transfer for Nmecha this summer with potential suitors. According to Bild, the acceptable price range is reportedly up to €120 million.

This would make Nmecha the third most expensive sale in the club’s history, following Ousmane Dembele (sold to FC Barcelona for €148 million in 2017) and Jude Bellingham (sold to Real Madrid for €127 million in 2023). Real Madrid is reportedly showing interest, along with FC Chelsea and both top clubs from Manchester. Nmecha previously played in Manchester City’s youth academy between 2008 and 2021.

Schlotterbeck and Nmecha Won Their Competitions in the DFB Team

The World Cup could become a springboard for Schlotterbeck and Nmecha into the absolute elite of football. It seemed uncertain for a long time whether they would even make the German starting lineup. Schlotterbeck ultimately won the competition against the long-established Rüdiger, while Nmecha surprisingly displaced Leon Goretzka from the starting XI.

During World Cup qualification, head coach Julian Nagelsmann consistently relied on Goretzka and publicly assured him of a starting spot at the World Cup in March. While Goretzka impressed for FC Bayern in the latter stages of the Bundesliga season, Nmecha was sidelined with a ligament tear. He only made his return to the starting lineup for BVB on the final matchday, after which Nagelsmann ultimately placed his trust in him.

For BVB, the positive developments of Schlotterbeck and Nmecha, and the ensuing interest in them, present a double-edged sword. On one hand, a potential double sale this summer could bring in massive revenue of approximately €180 million. On the other hand, it would mean the departure of a central axis and a complete upheaval of the squad planning.

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