Liverpool missed out in the signing of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the summer and could now lose out on Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck amid reports on Niklas Sule’s future
Marc Guehi is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of this season
Marc Guehi is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of this season(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
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Liverpool have been dealt a fresh blow in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck.
Previous reports from German publication Sport BILD have claimed that the defender is a target at Anfield. But The Reds would face a battle to sign the 25-year-old from Dortmund as it's now suggested the German team are looking to make Schlotterbeck the face of their club.
It has previously been claimed that Liverpool are prepared to make an offer worth €50million (£41.7m) to sign him.
But recent reports from Ruhr Nachrichten have now claimed that Niklas Sule’s spell at Dortmund will come to an end when his contract expires in the summer of 2026. It is said that the Black and Yellows have already decided not to extend the 30-year-old defender’s contract.
Sule's possible departure would then inevitably make any potential exit for Schlotterbeck difficult. His exit would see Dortmund free up some money on the wage bill to potentially offer their star centre-back a new contract - warding off reported interest from Merseyside and elsewhere.
It's a kick in the teeth for Liverpool, who have already been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing No.1 centre-back target Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace defender was on the verge of a move to Anfield at the end of the summer transfer window, but the Reds could not get a deal over the line.
Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund
Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund has shwon his true worth in Germany
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And Liverpool are now powerless in their hopes of signing Guehi. From January, foreign clubs will be eligible to open pre-contract talks with the Palace captain; the Reds, as well as every other English club, will have wait until he enters the final month of his deal in May, unless they manage to strike an agreement over a fee in January.
According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Bayern Munich director of sport, Max Eberl, recently had a meeting with Guehi's agent, Gordon Stipic. The report claims that the Bundesliga champions have joined the race to secure the Englishman's signature, but they face tough competition from Liverpool and Real Madrid.
It's said that Guehi is currently one of Bayern's 'preferred targets', should Dayot Upamecano choose not to extend his contract, which is also set to expire in the summer. It is said an approach from Bayern for the Palace star could also hinge on whether Kim Min-jae is sold.
Earlier this month, Oliver Glasner confirmed that Guehi has informed officials at Selhurst Park that he does not wish to extend his contract. Speaking to reporters last week, the Palace head coach said: "I think Marc has already told us that he doesn't sign a new contract, so he will leave next year.
"The club wanted [him to stay]. They offered Marc a new contract. But he said, 'no, I want to make something different'. And that's normal.
"And for us, it's how we can deal with this situation? [What] is the best way to get this next step done? And that's all about how we are talking together."
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