Image Credits: Imago Images
Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract situation at Borussia Dortmund is approaching a decisive crossroads according to reports in Germany.
The 25-year-old centre-back has attracted significant interest from Anfield, where recruitment chiefs have identified him as a long-term solution to their defensive concerns.
With Virgil van Dijk turning 35 next year and Ibrahima Konate’s contract expiring in 2027, Liverpool have placed Schlotterbeck on their centre-back shortlist alongside Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
DaveOCKOP exclusively reported that Liverpool held preliminary talks with Schlotterbeck’s representatives in October, with Dortmund now scrambling to fend off interest from both the Reds and Bayern Munich.
The defender’s stance is clear: he wants to win titles and play for an absolute top club. His unhappiness reportedly extends to Dortmund’s style of play under Niko Kovač, having publicly lamented that his side needs to “play more football.”
According to German outlet BILD, Schlotterbeck has narrowed his potential destinations to two scenarios if he leaves: Bayern Munich or a move to England, where Liverpool leads the chase.
They also report that the upcoming fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen could have significant ripple effects on the contract standoff.
Dortmund face their table neighbours twice in four days – away in the Bundesliga on Saturday and at home in the DFB-Pokal round of 16 on Tuesday.
With Dortmund sitting fourth, one point behind Leverkusen, a league defeat would extend the gap to four points and deal a bitter blow to their European ambitions.
More critically, a cup exit would “massively weaken” BVB’s negotiating position in the Schlotterbeck saga and likely condemn the club to another trophyless campaign.
According to the report, these two fixtures could have a huge bearing on whether the German international decides to remain at the Signal Iduna Park.
Following Dortmund’s comfortable 4-0 win over Villareal in the Champions League on Tuesday night, sporting director Sebastian Kehl was quizzed on the Schlotterbeck speculation:
“We are trying to create and deliver conditions that offer Schlotti an attractive environment.”
“Ultimately, he wants to be successful and compete for titles, which is what we all want. We also want to meet his financial expectations.”
The Dortmund chief added that the club “means a lot” to Schlotterbeck:
“We hope that he’ll make a positive decision [from our perspective],” Kehl explained. “If not, we’ll prepare ourselves accordingly. I remain optimistic because this club means a lot to him.”
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