'Time to set a deadline,' Matthäus tells Schlotterbeck on contract

Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck should make a decision soon on his future at Borussia Dortmund, former national team captain Lothar Matthäus has said.

"It is time to set a deadline. Schlotterbeck is important, you don't want to build pressure, (Sebastian) Kehl has done well, but now it is time for a decision," Matthäus told Sky TV.

Mattäus named this important for club and country, saying "It will be important for Schlotterbeck and for the national team to have clarity before the World Cup" in summer.

Schlotterbeck has a Dortmund contract until 2027 which the club wants to renew. If he doesn't agree this summer would be the last opportunity for the club to generate a big transfer fee.

Schlotterbeck dismissed news reports on an imminent renewal last week and said the situation has now also changed because Kehl is no longer sporting director and has been replaced by Ole Book.

"I would have probably reached a decision within the next weeks but the situation has now changed a little bit. We are not at a point where something is imminent," he said.

Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken said that Schlotterbeck's comments were “understandable” but that “our fundamental aim of keeping him at BVB in the long term remains unchanged. We are continuing to work towards that.”