Barcelona step up plans to sign free agent defender in 2026

Barcelona are planning to address two areas of Hansi Flick’s squad during next summer’s transfer window: centre-back and striker. As things stand, their financial situation will make it difficult for money to be spent on both positions, which is why moves are being made to secure a free agent (or two).

It is most likely that a centre-back is signed for free, with big money spent on a new striker. In recent weeks, there has been links with Ibrahima Konate and Marc Guehi, and another whose current contract expires at the end of the season is Nico Schlotterbeck.

And according to reports in Germany (via Sport), Barcelona have upped their interest in Schlotterbeck over the last few weeks.

Schlotterbeck has yet to commit to signing a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, whom he joined from Freiburg in 2022. He is said to have reservations about committing his future to the Bundesliga giants due to reported interest from elsewhere, meaning that Barcelona could have a good chance of convincing him to join as a free agent.

Schlotterbeck would be an ideal signing for Barcelona

Inigo Martinez left Barcelona during the 2025 summer transfer window to sign for Al-Nassr, and because of this, there has been concerns about the left-sided centre-back position in Flick’s squad. There is no natural left-sided option at the disposal of the German, which has led to him using Pau Cubarsi and Andreas Christensen there.

It’s no secret that Barcelona would prefer to sign a left-sided option in 2026, which is why they are also showing interest in Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio. But given that he would not come cheap, Schlotterbeck would be a much better option if he were to arrive for free – and he is also arguably a better player.

It remains to be seen whether Schlotterbeck continues to stall on a new deal at Dortmund, but if so, Barcelona would surely be ready to pounce for him.