Manchester United were recently tipped to sign Nico Schlotterbeck and now the Borussia Dortmund defender has made a decision on his future, having also been linked with Liverpool
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick celebrates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on March 15, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Manchester United are preparing for the summer(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Manchester United transfer target Nico Schlotterbeck has signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, the German club have announced. Schlotterbeck, 26, was approaching the final year of his existing deal and Dortmund were likely to sell him this summer if an agreement couldn't be reached.
Reports from Germany stated that United were interested in the centre-back, who's left-footed. Liverpool were also linked with a move for Schlotterbeck amid growing uncertainty over the future of Ibrahima Konate.
But Schlotterbeck has decided to stay at Dortmund, who he joined from Freiburg in 2022. After putting pen to paper on a five-year contract, the defender said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have extended my contract with BVB.
"I deliberately took my time with the decision because it's an important one for me. We had good discussions throughout, but it wasn't a process that was completed in just a week or two.
"The club officials presented me with a good plan, and I know what I have at this club. My goal is to win titles together with Borussia Dortmund."
Schlotterbeck isn't the only defender United hold an interest in. The Red Devils are long-time admirers of Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite and RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba, both of whom are left-footed.
Michael Carrick's appointment as interim manager has seen United switch from playing three centre-backs under Ruben Amorim to just two. Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro have recently been their first choice pairing following injuries to Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, the latter of whom is close to returning ahead of Monday's home clash with Leeds at Old Trafford.
STUTTGART, GERMANY - APRIL 04: Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund celebrates following the team's victory during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at MHPArena on April 04, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Nico Schlotterbeck has extended his stay at Borussia Dortmund(Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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"To have Licha in and around it again is good," Carrick said earlier this week. "Obviously, Harry's going to miss the game (through suspension) so we've got Licha back around it, with Leny and Ayden [Heaven], and we just want to get stronger as a group really. So that's part of this, trying to use that to do that this week."
Due to going nearly a month without a Premier League fixture, United have been away on a mid-season training camp in Dublin. After facing Leeds, they'll make the visit to Chelsea next Saturday in a huge game for both sides' hopes of qualifying for the 2026-27 Champions League.