Nico Schlotterbeck continues to be linked with Liverpool despite the German recently agreeing a fresh contract with Borussia Dortmund.
Reports that Liverpool were interested in the centre-back alongside Manchester United emerged in late March.
A new deal with BVB seemed to bring that saga to an end, but Schlotterbeck’s new contract has a release clause that only a ‘few’ clubs can activate by July 19, 2026.
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Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg
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Liverpool have until July 19 to activate Nico Schlotterbeck’s release clause
Previously, it was unclear if Liverpool were one of the teams that could do so, but they have now been named directly by Florian Plettenberg.
Taking to X/Twitter, the journalist shared that the release clause is worth around £43m and needs to be activated by the end of the 2026 World Cup.
He explained: “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).”
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While it’s good news for Liverpool, who are still yet to agree a new contract with Ibrahima Konate, Real Madrid are also interested in the player and they too have the ability to activate his release clause over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Schlotterbeck said back in late 2025 that he wants to win a championship in Germany.
He said: “I have the goal of winning a championship in Germany.
“We have been close. The Champions League is very difficult to win – we were close there too. In the DFB-Pokal, I was close as well. As a professional footballer, I’ve only won the U21 European Championship. Now I want to actually hold something in my hands.”
But with Dortmund already 12 points behind Bayern Munich this season, the centre-back may well decide he wants to remain in Germany for another season in an attempt to fulfil his goal.
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