Nico Schlotterbeck of Germany looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Germany and Slovakia at Red Bull Arena on November 17, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)placeholder image
Nico Schlotterbeck of Germany looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Germany and Slovakia at Red Bull Arena on November 17, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool can reportedly activate a release clause to sign the Borussia Dortmund centre-back.
Liverpool are among the clubs who can activate a release clause for a Bundesliga defender, reports suggest.
Nico Schlotterbeck committed his future to Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, with his previous deal expiring in 2027. Had the Germany international not signed fresh terms, Dortmund likely would have looked to cash in rather than risk losing him on a free in a year’s time.
But despite Schlotterbeck extending his stay at BVB, it is suggested there is a chance he could still depart. According to Sky Sports Germany, a clause in his deal means that select clubs can sign the centre-back for a fee of around £45-50 million. Liverpool and Real Madrid are two who reportedly can do so.
Reporter Florian Plettenberg posted on X: “Now confirmed, as revealed yesterday on our show Transfer Update: Liverpool (alongside Real Madrid) are also one of the few clubs that can activate a release clause for Nico Schlotterbeck this summer. The fee is around €50-60 million. #LFC The release clause is not valid for the entire summer transfer window. According to @M_Wessing, it expires around the time of the World Cup final (19 July).”
Liverpool’s plans in central defence ahead of next season are somewhat uncertain. As things stand, Ibrahima Konate will depart Anfield at the end of June when his deal expires. There are some suggestions that the France international is close to penning fresh terms.
But if he doesn’t then that will leave Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez and the only two senior options. Van Dijk turns 35 in July and his contract expires in 2027. Gomez also sees his deal conclude in 2027 and has had well-documented fitness problems over the past few years.
Liverpool have signed Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for up to £60 million, but he is only 20 and lacks Premier League experience. Jacquet is currently recovering from a shoulder injury. In addition, Giovanni Leoni, brought in for £26 million from Parma last summer, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament when making his Liverpool debut last September. Leoni is also yet to make his Premier League bow and is just aged 19.
AFC Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi has been mentioned as a potential option if Konate leaves. The Argentina defender will be available on a free transfer.
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