According to Sport, Barcelona are preparing to step up their interest in Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck.

The Catalan giants sold their only left-footed centre-back – Inigo Martinez – this summer, choosing to save the money that would’ve gone to his salary and to bring in some extra cash, believing the squad department to possess sufficient cover for the upcoming challenges. However, it appears they now regret that they hadn’t taken into account the fact that it left them without a specific-profile player.

Schlotterbeck fits that profile, and with his current contract set to enter its final year at the end of this season, Barcelona obviously feel the time has come for them to act if they want the 25-year-old Germany international in their ranks. Whether they make their move in January or the summer, remains to be seen.

Schlotterbeck joined Dortmund for €20million in January 2022 from Freiburg. He’s made a total of 128 appearances for the Black-and-Yellow, scoring six goals and producing 16 assists. He missed the start of the season through a meniscus problem and subsequent fitness buildup, but he played the full 90 minutes in the last three Bundesliga games for Niko Kovac’s side.