Liverpool are having a great season, closing in on the Premier League title and set to face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. With all going well and silverware in sight, the club is now looking to reinforce their defence. With uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk’s future, Liverpool have targeted Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as a top target for the summer transfer market, reports Bild.
The centre-back has played a crucial role in his team’s defence, featuring in 34 matches this season. His impressive performances have caught Liverpool’s attention, while Borussia Dortmund are keen to extend his contract. Schlotterbeck is under contract until 2027, earning an annual salary of €5 million. The report highlights that this places him among the mid-tier earners at the club.
Liverpool keeping an eye on the German
Dortmund intend to make the 25-year-old one of their best-paid players and a future captain, possibly replacing Emre Can. But Liverpool’s keen interest in the Germany international may ruin those plans. Liverpool’s interest in Nico Schlotterbeck is well justified when examining his underlying statistics. The German centre-back possesses the ideal blend of defensive solidity and ball-playing ability, making him a strong fit for Arne Slot’s system.
The Reds are ready to pay more than €50 million for Schlotterbeck in the summer market. Dortmund are not only struggling to extend his contract but are also at risk of losing him, particularly if they do not qualify for European football next season. The Bundesliga club need to beat Lille to stay in the Champions League race, but they are 10th in the league, seven points behind fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
Schlotterbeck is reportedly being considered as a possible replacement for Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool. With the 33-year-old’s contract set to run out in June, his Anfield future is in doubt. Van Dijk is still a mainstay at Anfield, but Liverpool knows it needs to think about the future. Whether the Dutch captain decides to sign a new contract or not, the club is committed to strengthening its defence. Schlotterbeck is their need and can play alongside Van Dijk or be his eventual replacement. He would be part of a defensive corps that already has Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez, and Jarell Quansah.
However, Borussia Dortmund may struggle to keep Schlotterbeck, as Bild’s head of football, Christian Falk, reports that Liverpool have shown strong interest in the centre-back. Falk states that the Reds view the German international as a possible successor to Virgil van Dijk.
More Liverpool News
With Van Dijk’s future uncertain, Schlotterbeck’s skill set makes him a compelling option for Liverpool’s long-term defensive plans. If the Reds push forward with their interest, he could become a crucial addition to their evolving backline.
Source link
Add Comment