Nico Schlotterbeck refuses new Borussia Dortmund deal amid Liverpool interest
The 25-year-old defender has been linked with a move to Anfield as Arne Slot looks to strengthen his defensive options
Nico Schlotterbeck is reportedly refusing to sign a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, potentially boosting Liverpool’s chances of securing his signature.
The 25-year-old defender has been linked with a move to Anfield as Arne Slot looks to strengthen his defensive options.
Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate approaching the final six months of his contract and able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs when the January transfer window opens.
Slot’s defensive options have been further depleted following the unfortunate injury to £26million summer signing Giovanni Leoni, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut.
Liverpool came agonisingly close to signing Marc Guehi on deadline day, but the move collapsed late on.
Despite Crystal Palace accepting a £35million bid, manager Oliver Glasner blocked the transfer in a last-minute U-turn.
The England international remains a target and continues to attract interest from across Europe due to his similar contract situation to Konate’s.
However, Liverpool are also keeping tabs on Schlotterbeck, who has developed into one of Dortmund’s most reliable defenders over the past three-and-a-half seasons at Signal Iduna Park.
According to Bild, Dortmund are eager to tie him down to a new long-term deal, but Nico Schlotterbeck has so far refused amid reported tensions with new boss Niko Kovac.
The German international is said to be unhappy with Kovac’s pragmatic playing style, which has come under scrutiny following defeats to Bayern Munich and Manchester City, as well as a disappointing 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Hamburg – a match in which Schlotterbeck scored.
His current contract runs until 2027, but Dortmund are keen to extend it to 2030, offering him a pay rise worth an additional €2.5million (£2.2million) per year, taking his annual salary to around €8million (£7million).
If Schlotterbeck refuses to commit his future, Dortmund could look to cash in – either in January or next summer.
Bayern Munich are also monitoring his situation, with Dortmund all too familiar with losing key players to their domestic rivals.
CEO Lars Ricken said regarding Schlotterbeck’s future: “We will not rush into anything. But of course, we don’t want to drag it out indefinitely, everyone is aware of that.”
As for Schlotterbeck himself, he said after losing to Bayern: “I still have over a year-and-a-half left on my contract. I’ll sit down with Sebastian [Kehl, sporting director], work out a plan, and see where it leads.
“I feel very comfortable in Dortmund and have no problem continuing on this path. But it’s obviously an important decision for my career.”
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