Nico Schlotterbeck is holding off from signing a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, reports BILD.
This comes amid a flurry of reports on Liverpool, and the Premier League’s, interest in the Bundesliga centre-back.
Despite concerns over the Germany international’s future, BVB are reportedly opposed to a January sale of their defensive stalwart.
@farrellkeeling96 🚨 Could Liverpool be lining up a January move for Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck? #fyp #lfc #schlotterbeck #nicoschlotterbeck #dortmund ♬ original sound – Farrell Keeling
Liverpool preparing transfer attack for Nico Schlotterbeck
With the Merseysiders staring down the barrel of an injury crisis at the heart of their defence – some reinforcements in January are starting to look like a necessity.
It seems unlikely that long-time target Marc Guehi will be the man to shift to Anfield in the winter. Crystal Palace have made it clear that they want to keep the Englishman for their European and Premier League campaign.
However, BILD now reports that Liverpool are eyeing up a mid-season move for Schlotterbeck.
This accounts for injuries suffered by both Giovanni Leoni (18) and Ibrahima Konate. The latter is awaiting an assessment (following his withdrawal from the France national side) ahead of our upcoming meeting with Manchester United.
Decision-makers at L4 are also keenly aware of the need for a long-term Virgil van Dijk (34) successor.
Given that Schlotterbeck is also understood to be open to the prospect of a Liverpool switch (CF Bayern Insider), circumstances could align neatly for the Reds in the transfer market.
Liverpool prefer Schlotterbeck to Dayot Upamecano
One report from patch journalist David Lynch indicates that the defender sits reasonably high on our defensive shortlist.
“Schlotterbeck makes a lot more sense for Liverpool, and he’s the better player as well. Upamecano’s got mistakes in him,” the reporter told Sports Mole.
“Liverpool might see it as an opportunity to develop him, but there are weaknesses there in Upamecano that would get exposed regularly in the Premier League.
“Schlotterbeck, on the other hand, is someone they definitely do like and have watched. Whether that becomes anything or not, we’ll have to wait and see. That one might [be more] for the summer rather than January.”
That says a great deal, given that Dayot Upamecano is currently on track to be available on a free transfer next summer.
Statistically speaking, of course, there is evidence to suggest that Liverpool would be buying the superior defender in Nico Schlotterbeck.
How good is Nico Schlotterbeck?
The short answer? Very good.
The admittedly biased German press (though not biased enough to give Florian Wirtz a free pass) showered Schlotterbeck with praise after a commanding display for Germany against Northern Ireland on Monday.
Fotmob handed the 25-year-old centre-half an 8/10 rating after winning 3/5 of his ground duels and dominating in the air (5/6 aerial duels won).
Domestically, he continues to put away consistently strong performances in the German top-flight with Niko Kovac’s men following his return from a serious injury (meniscus tear).
| 270 minutes played |
| 71.4% aerial duels won |
| 12 duels won |
| 14 recoveries |
| 4 interceptions |
* Nico Schlotterbeck’s Bundesliga stats in the 2025/26 season (Fotmob)
Inevitably, this means Liverpool will encounter some serious resistance from Dortmund to a potential January transfer.
How much will Dortmund charge for Schlotterbeck?
Indeed, BILD’s report makes it clear that German giants have already ‘ruled out’ this scenario.
How strongly they can resist this eventuality, when their current contract offer falls considerably short of Schlotterbeck’s expectations, however, remains to be seen.
“He already has a contract offer (until the summer of 2030) on the table from Dortmund,” Christian Falk told CF Bayern Insider.
“However, if he accepts, he would just earn about €8m [£6.9m] gross – about €2.5m more than what he’s currently earning at BVB, and he’s not satisfied with this!
“That’s also because his teammate, Niklas Süle, is earning €14m [£12.1m] all in all, and he’s on the bench.”
Borussia Dortmund, of course, have proven themselves to be willing sellers when an interested party is prepared to match their valuation.
Liverpool were reportedly prepared to commit a fee of £50m for Nico Schlotterbeck last summer.
However, with a contract running until 2027, and not forgetting the likely mid-season transfer tax, we strongly suspect any ideal bid to exceed this figure.
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Nico Schlotterbeck’s stats look highly impressive.
He COULD be a handy addition if Dortmund are prepared to facilitate a move.
The facts are, LFC have ageing maestro in Virgil, a promising youngster who’s out until next season, and injury prone CB/FB (Gomez) and Konate who’s future is very much in the balance.
It stands to reason that, if LFC sign Marc Guehi, they’ll still require another CB to cover those positions.
Hopefully any defensive changes in January (or in the Summer ?), don’t take as long to gel as the new forwards are….