Revealed: Liverpool plot Bundesliga swoop amid exit whispers

Liverpool have Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck firmly on their radar as they seek to make additions to Arne Slot’s backline.

Schlotterbeck has emerged as one of the standout centre-backs in the Bundesliga since a 2022 move to Dortmund from Freiburg.

The 26-year-old has made 146 appearances for the German giants over the last three-and-a-half years, but rumours about his future are rife as talks to extend his contract continue to stall.

Liverpool were linked to Schlotterbeck ahead of the January window, but they are not set to move for a centre-back midway through the campaign, despite their ongoing struggles at the back.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, the Reds still have the 26-year-old on their transfer shortlist before a potential approach this summer.

Liverpool tracking Nico Schlotterbeck as one of several centre-back targets

Liverpool are facing their own contract dilemma with Ibrahima Konate as it stands, and so are in clear need of numerous new centre-back signings to bolster Slot’s options.

Football Insider have revealed that Schlotterbeck could be available for a cut-price fee this summer, with his Dortmund contract set to expire next year, and the Reds are open to moving for him soon.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Most people would probably say they need to bring somebody in in January, but it doesn’t look like Liverpool will do that.

“They’re keeping their powder dry for the summer window. (There) will be a number of names that the Liverpool recruitment team are looking at.“

“There’s the talk of Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund, who’s having a good season and has not been able to agree a new deal either.

“I’m sure he’s somebody that will have on their radar.”

Chelsea are not planning to sign Konate despite Liverpool contract uncertainty

Konate has been a regular starter at the back for the Reds this season, but they are still no closer to agreeing a new deal with him as his contract edges closer to its expiration date.

He was touted with a move away from Anfield throughout last year, but Real Madrid pulled out of signing Konate in November despite being heavily linked to his signature.

Football Insider recently revealed that Chelsea do not want to sign Konate in the summer, despite previous reports linking them with such a move, as they seal a deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.

The 26-year-old does not look set to remain on Merseyside past the end of this campaign, however, especially as Schlotterbeck would want to be a first-choice centre-back if he were to join from Dortmund.

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