Barcelona continues its search for strengthening its defense line after the departure of defender Iñigo Martínez, with the name Nico Schlotterbeck, the star of Borussia Dortmund, emerging as one of the top targets on the Catalan management's table, according to the website "Fichajes."

The 25-year-old German defender is considering his future after the negotiations for renewing his contract with Dortmund stalled, amid interest from major European clubs, led by Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Schlotterbeck is considered one of the most prominent rising defenders in Europe due to his defensive strength and ability to build play from the back, making him an ideal option to compensate for the gap in Barcelona's defense.

The same source reported that Barcelona sees the player as a strategic addition to its project aimed at rebuilding the team with young players capable of competing for titles both locally and continentally, but the club's financial crisis remains a real challenge to completing the deal, despite the technical management's conviction of the necessity to sign a left center-back during the upcoming transfer market.

Thus, the race among major clubs for Schlotterbeck's services intensifies, while the player's decision will be crucial in determining his future between continuing with Dortmund or embarking on a new experience with Barcelona or one of the other European giants.