Liverpool will need to act quickly to sign £33m Bundesliga defender | OneFootball

Liverpool Face a Challenge in Pursuit of Schlotterbeck

Liverpool’s defensive concerns are no secret, and with uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk’s future, Arne Slot will need to address the centre-back situation sooner rather than later. Bild reports that Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is a key target for the Reds, but the German club are determined to hold onto their man.

Picture:IMAGO

Dortmund are reportedly preparing to offer Schlotterbeck a contract extension beyond 2027, a significant pay rise, and the possibility of becoming club captain to convince him to stay. With a market value of £33.5m and interest from European giants such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Newcastle United, the 25-year-old is in demand.

An Ideal Successor for Van Dijk?

Replacing Van Dijk—should he leave—will be no easy task. Few defenders in world football possess his combination of aerial dominance, composure, and leadership. However, Schlotterbeck is a player with the attributes to step in and evolve Liverpool’s defensive line.

Photo IMAGO

The German international is strong in possession, comfortable playing out from the back, and capable of handling high-intensity pressing football—key qualities for Slot’s philosophy. Even if Van Dijk stays, a partnership with Schlotterbeck on the left and the Dutchman on the right could revitalise Liverpool’s defence and offer a new dimension in build-up play.

Contract Talks Complicate Liverpool’s Pursuit

Dortmund’s attempts to secure Schlotterbeck with a new contract are a clear indication of his importance to their long-term plans. The Bundesliga club have reportedly offered to double his current salary of €5m per season, making it an uphill task for Liverpool to lure him away.

Competing financially with clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona only adds to the challenge. If Schlotterbeck is swayed by the prospect of leading Dortmund into a new era, Liverpool may have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

Can Liverpool Convince Him to Move?

Liverpool’s track record of developing centre-backs into world-class talents could play a crucial role in negotiations. A move to the Premier League would provide Schlotterbeck with a bigger stage, higher competition levels, and the chance to work under a manager with a fresh tactical vision.

Photo: IMAGO

However, with no clear decision yet from Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, or Trent Alexander-Arnold regarding their contracts, Liverpool’s own situation remains uncertain. If Schlotterbeck is waiting for clarity on Liverpool’s squad planning, Dortmund may use that hesitation to secure his long-term commitment.

For now, Liverpool’s pursuit of Schlotterbeck remains in the balance. Whether they can persuade him to reject Dortmund’s new offer and make the move to Anfield will depend on how events unfold in the coming months.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This situation is beginning to feel frustratingly familiar. The club identifies a perfect target, the fit looks ideal, but the deal starts slipping away before it even gets going.

Schlotterbeck ticks so many boxes—young, composed on the ball, aggressive in defence, and with room to develop into an elite centre-back. If Van Dijk were to leave, Schlotterbeck seems one of the few defenders capable of stepping into that void. But even if Van Dijk stays, Liverpool need depth, and a left-sided centre-back with strong distribution skills would be a major asset.

The problem? Liverpool are not the only club interested, and Dortmund are doing everything they can to keep him. The club’s reluctance to spend big when the competition heats up is a concern. If Liverpool hesitate while Dortmund, Madrid, and others firm up their offers, they risk losing yet another high-profile target.

This is a moment where the club’s ambition needs to be clear. If Liverpool truly see Schlotterbeck as the future of their defence, they need to act with intent—whether that means matching Dortmund’s financial offer or presenting a sporting project that makes Anfield impossible to resist. Otherwise, fans will be left wondering how another perfect signing slipped away.