[Liverpool](https://walkon.com/) will likely lose star center back Ibrahima Konate to free agency, as Real Madrid and potentially even PSG and other elite Champions League clubs are trying to snap up the Frenchman as a free agent in summer 2026.
But Liverpool are not as high on Konate as the center back transfers they are targeting in 2026. They were so close to signing Marc Guehi on deadline day in the summer 2025 transfer window before Crystal Palace manager Olive Glasner threatened to quit over the move at the last second, and so the England national team starter is fully expected to play for the Reds in 2026/27.
Liverpool are interested in more than just Guehi, though. Inter Milan superstar Alessandro Bastoni has sneakily moved onto their transfer list, and Liverpool have also been in hot pursuit of Nico Schlotterbeck, who is wanted by rivals Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund’s own bitter rivals Bayern Munich.
Dortmund are still trying to convince the talented German international to stay with them and sign a new contract, but it seems like Schlotty is destined to leave the Bundesliga behind for the bright lights of the Premier League.
According to a new report from German outlet BILD, Schlotterbeck is not convinced at all by Dortmund. He doesn’t think the Dortmund project will give him a good shot at winning trophies anymore, and those within the walls of Dortmund are increasingly concerned that he isn’t going to pen a new deal.
Per BILD, Schlotterbeck dislikes both the sporting chances at BVB and the way manager Niko Kovac is playing. Bayern Munich are high on the list of potential suitors for Schlotterbeck and can give him exactly the financial terms he wants from Dortmund.
Well, the same can be said about Liverpool, and they have an even bigger spotlight in the Premier League and look more dangerous in the Champions League, too, having beaten Real Madrid in back to back seasons.
Nobody can blame Schlotterbeck for wanting to leave Kovac and Dortmund, because, quite frankly, both of them stink. A summer double swoop for Schlotterbeck and Guehi could be exactly what the doctor ordered this Liverpool defense. (Plus a healthy Giovanni Leoni wouldn’t hurt either.)
Joe Soriano is the editor of _The Trivela Effect_ and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like _The Real Champs_ (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage _NFL Spin Zone_ and _Daily DDT,_ covering the NFL and pro wrestling.