Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck had only signed a contract extension last month that supposedly keeps him at the club until 2031. However, it still may not be enough to keep him at the Signal Iduna Park beyond this summer.
Premier League giants Liverpool could reportedly activate his release clause, set at £52 million. While it doesn't sound cheap, German news outlet Kicker reports that it may be enough for the Reds to secure his services.
Arne Slot's band of busted flushes endured a frustrating campaign in the league this season, conceding their crown in limp fashion. Down in fifth with just 59 points in the bag ahead of the season finale this weekend, Liverpool need serious defensive reinforcements.
Virgil van Dijk has blown hot and cold this season and he turns 35 by the time next season rolls around. His centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate is facing an uncertain future at the club right now, while club stalwart Joe Gomez could depart Anfield this summer too.
Liverpool's £26 million-worth summer signing Giovanni Leoni turned heads with a promising debut game against Southampton in the League Cup but suffered a horrific ACL injury that hampered his progress at the club.
Although the side is set to welcome Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes with a deal already in place, the fallen English giants need more recruitments to beef up their backline after conceding 52 times in the Premier League this season.
That is where Schlotterbeck could play a role. The German international was the mortar to Dortmund's brick, solidfying their defense with his positional awareness, perfectly-timed tackles and exemplary vision.
At 6' 3'', he also possesses a dominant frame that makes him sturdy in the air too while bringing in plenty of top-flight experience - all of which can be vital while plying his trade for an ambitious side like Liverpool.
Schlotterbeck is only 26 and entering the prime of his career. So his transfer won't be a regular one, the former Freiburg star could effectively be a long-term replacement for Van Dijk too as the Dutchman is fast approaching the end of his career and appears to have lost much of his defensive prowess lately.
However, one stumbling block here could be the player's desire to win trophies in Germany. He came close with Breisgau-Brasilianer, finishing as the DFB Pokal runners-up in 2022 and then two years later, losing out in the Champions League final too.
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