Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, as per Football Insider.
After being impressed by the 26-year-old’s performances for Freiburg, BVB decided to purchase him back in 2022, and he has established himself as an undisputed starter.
In 37 appearances across all competitions, Schlotterbeck scored five goals and registered a solitary assist last term. Moreover, he helped his side keep 12 clean sheets.
Having proven his worth in club football, the defender has secured his place in the German national team’s starting line-up.
Now, Football Insider state that despite signing Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo recently, Liverpool are considering purchasing a new centre-back as Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez’s existing deal is set to run until next summer.
They have identified Schlotterbeck as a key target, although he recently signed a long-term contract with Dortmund until 2031. Meanwhile, Araujo has joined on loan from Barcelona and the Reds are expected to make the move permanent next year. Andoni Iraola considers the Uruguayan as the first-choice right-back.
The report state that Iraola’s side have been showing interest in Schlotterbeck since last summer and, apart from him, Liverpool are also interested in Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde and Nottingham Forest star Murillo.
Schlotterbeck to Liverpool
Dortmund usually play hardball to sell their big assets and are likely to demand a big fee to sell Schlotterbeck, valued at around £46m by Transfermarkt.
Schlotterbeck is a 6ft 3in tall left-footed centre-back and is also comfortable in the left-back position. He is technically sound, can play threading passes between the lines, is good in the air, and is efficient in defensive contributions.
The German international is a highly talented player and is currently at the prime stage of his career. Therefore, he would be a shrewd acquisition for Liverpool should they purchase him.
However, it is going to be interesting to see whether the Merseyside club eventually make a concrete approach to secure his services in January or next summer.
Meanwhile, following a…
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