According to German outlet Bild, Liverpool FC have officially joined the race to sign Nico Schlotterbeck, seeing the Borussia Dortmund centre-back as the ideal long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk.
The 25-year-old German international is at the heart of an emerging transfer tug-of-war that’s quickly heating up among Europe’s biggest clubs.
Dortmund Want to Keep Him, but the Player Is Hesitant
Schlotterbeck remains under contract with Dortmund, but negotiations over a new deal have stalled in recent weeks. The club are willing to offer a lucrative extension and even hand him the captain’s armband in a bid to secure his future.
However, the defender has yet to commit, keeping his options open, a situation that has alerted Liverpool. Reports suggest the Premier League club has already held initial talks with his camp to assess the possibility of a move.
A Fragile Liverpool Backline in Need of Reinforcements
Liverpool’s interest in Schlotterbeck is not just opportunistic; it’s strategic. Young defender Giovanni Leoni has been sidelined with a serious ACL injury that could keep him out for the entire season. Ibrahima Konaté is entering the final year of his contract without signs of renewal, while Joe Gomez came close to leaving for AC Milan this summer.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk remains a crucial figure at Anfield, but at 34 years old and with his contract expiring in 2027, the club knows it must plan for the future.
Liverpool attempted to sign Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace FC on deadline day but were rebuffed. They also explored a move for Dayot Upamecano at FC Bayern Munich, though competition for the Frenchman remains fierce. Now, their attention has shifted firmly to Schlotterbeck, a left-footed centre-back with strong distribution skills and proven Bundesliga pedigree.
European Heavyweights Lining Up
If Liverpool wants Schlotterbeck, they’ll have to fight for him. Alongside Dortmund’s push to renew his contract, Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC have already made their interest known, while Bayern are monitoring the situation closely and reportedly view him as a priority target.
“It’s a decision that’s ultimately in Schlotterbeck’s hands,” a source close to the negotiations told Bild. “Dortmund can offer him leadership and loyalty. But Liverpool, Madrid, and City can offer the biggest stages in Europe. This is going to be about ambition, trust, and timing.”
Schlotterbeck fits Liverpool’s recruitment profile perfectly: young, experienced at the top level, technically gifted, and comfortable playing in a high defensive line. Should a deal be struck, he could gradually step into Van Dijk’s role over the next two seasons, ensuring stability at the heart of the Reds’ defence.
The coming months are expected to be decisive. With multiple European giants circling and Dortmund eager to keep their star, Schlotterbeck’s future is shaping up to be one of the major transfer stories to watch.
