Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who has been linked with a high-profile transfer to Liverpool, has yet to announce the next move in his football career
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
13:35, 25 Jan 2026
Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck celebrates
Nico Schlotterbeck said he knows when he'll announce his next career decision(Image: Getty Images)
Nico Schlotterbeck revealed that a deadline is set regarding his next career move, with Liverpool reportedly interested in him.
The Borussia Dortmund defender has been a key player for the Bundesliga side since his arrival in 2022, having so far played 146 games for the club while scoring eight goals. Schlotterbeck, 26, played a starring role in Dortmund's 3-0 away win against Union Berlin on Saturday, as he scored his third goal of the season while contributing to his side's 10th clean sheet of the season.
It was after the game that the Germany international opened up about his future. With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2026-27 season, the defender revealed he'll announce his decision prior to the campaign's end.
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Schlotterbeck - who has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Bayern Munich for the past year - told Sky Sports Germany: "I've set a personal deadline for myself. I won't say when it is. Definitely before the summer, though."
Despite admitting he feels at home in Dortmund, he said that he remains unsure of the decision he's set to make on whether he continues at the club or seeks pastures new.
He added: "I feel comfortable here. It won't be an easy decision.
"I'm a gut-feeling kind of guy. I'll sit down with Dad and [brother] Keven and then make a decision. I don't quite know right now how it'll turn out."
Nico Schlotterbeck
Nico Schlotterbeck's contract at Borussia Dortmund expires at the end of next season(Image: Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl said before the league resumed earlier this month that negotiations have continued on Schlotterbeck extending his contract.
Kehl said: "We're trying to convince him with the power this club has, with the appreciation that he feels and with what we want to achieve together. We also want to give him a perspective that makes sense for him.
"But we're not sitting down every day. Things like this need time. He's used the winter break to think things over, but there's no new development yet."
Should Schlotterbeck opt to join Liverpool, his arrival would certainly boost the team's struggling backline.
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The frailties of Arne Slot's defence were on show once again during Liverpool's 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Virgil van Dijk played a role in all three of the Cherries' goals in what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for the Reds captain.
Speaking after the game, the Dutchman said: "I am very disappointed. Last minute of the game is very tough to take, we worked very hard in the second half to get back in the game and to concede that late is disappointing."