Contract talks planned for key defensive trio at Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund are preparing to open formal discussions over new deals for three core defenders, according to Sports BILD. Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, German centre-back Waldemar Anton and Norway international Julian Ryerson are all on the club’s agenda as the hierarchy looks to secure the long-term future of its rearguard.

Although no timetable has been disclosed, the Ruhr valley outfit are expected to begin the process in the coming months. All three players remain tied to the club until 2028, meaning sporting decision-makers are under no immediate pressure to accelerate negotiations.

Kobel, widely regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s most consistent shot-stoppers, has seen external speculation cool in recent weeks after sporadic links to leading European sides. The 26-year-old has been an ever-present for the Schwarzgelben since arriving from VfB Stuttgart and is viewed internally as a cornerstone of the project.

Anton’s situation is slightly different. The 27-year-old defender, signed from Stuttgart last summer, has attracted concrete enquiries from Manchester United, Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid. Despite outside interest, Dortmund are adamant the centre-back is not for sale and hope to extend his stay beyond the current agreement.

Initial extension conversations were launched under former sporting director Sebastian Kehl. His successor, Lars Book, is poised to continue those efforts as part of a wider strategy to retain homegrown and prime-age talent.

Ryerson, equally comfortable at right-back or on the left, has also been on the radar of Premier League giants. Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Barcelona have all registered loose interest in the 26-year-old, whose energy and versatility have made him indispensable to the side’s high-tempo approach.

By moving early, Dortmund aim to remove any uncertainty surrounding the trio and ward off potential suitors before formal offers materialise. With the club chasing a return to the Champions League elite, locking down defensive stability is viewed as a critical first step.

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