Ricken has emphasized that Schlotterbeck has the right to plan his future carefully, and that the focus should be on prospects, trust, and conviction rather than salary. He also stated that Dortmund won't rush into any decisions, but they don't want to drag out the process indefinitely.

Schlotterbeck has a contract with Dortmund until 2027 and would reportedly cost £50M if he were to be transferred. When asked about Bayern's interest in him while he was on international duty with Germany, Schlotterbeck remained elusive, saying he couldn't comment on the matter.