Liverpool have entered the race to sign Nico Schlotterbeck and view the Borussia Dortmund star as a possible long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, according to reports in Germany.
Schlotterbeck has established himself as one of the most sought-after and highly regarded defenders in German football since swapping SC Freiburg for Dortmund in 2022.
The 25-year-old is also a regular at international level under Julian Nagelsmann and appears a shoo-in for Germany’s World Cup squad, should they qualify for next year’s tournament in North America.
But while Schlotterbeck continues to impress for both club and country, there is growing uncertainty and speculation over the centre-back’s situation off the pitch, with Europe’s elite beginning to circle.
German newspaper Bild write that Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City are all firmly in the picture while Schlotterbeck stalls over a possible contract extension at Dortmund.
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Schlotterbeck is keen to compete for major titles on a consistent basis and is said to be ‘gambling on the interest’ of top clubs having, thus far, failed to win any silverware with BVB.
The report suggests Liverpool are the latest team to ‘join the poker’ and it is becoming ‘increasingly difficult’ to imagine Dortmund keeping hold of the centre-half beyond the end of the season.
Liverpool are preparing for life without Ibrahima Konate, who will be available on a free transfer when his contract comes to an end next summer.
But it’s claimed the reigning Premier League champions view Schlotterbeck as a ‘long-term successor’ to club captain Virgil van Dijk, whose deal expires in 2027.
Giovanni Leoni’s devastating knee injury – which could keep the young Italian sidelined for up to a year – means Liverpool could even explore a bid for Schlotterbeck in the January transfer window.
However, Dortmund’s hierarchy are said to have categorically ruled out a move for Schlotterbeck midway through the season.
Schlotterbeck’s current deal runs through to June 2027 and BVB have been pushing to secure the services of the Germany international for a further three years, until 2030.
Speaking ahead of Dortmund’s recent Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao, though, Schlotterbeck said: ‘It won’t be any time soon that I’ll extend my contract!’
BVB sporting director Lars Ricken, meanwhile, underlined that the club would ‘respect’ whatever Schlotterbeck had planned for his future.
‘It is his absolute right to plan his future carefully. We respect that,’ Ricken told Bild.
‘I believe that the focus is not on salary, but on perspective, trust, and conviction.
‘We won’t rush into this. But of course, we don’t want to drag it out indefinitely. Everyone is aware of that.’
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