Deal for PERFECT Van Dijk replacement will cost £110m | OneFootball

Liverpool have got several problems to solve at centre-back over the next few transfer windows.

Firstly there’s a contract conundrum over Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman is out of contract in summer 2025 and if no new deal is agreed then he will be leaving for free.

And don’t forget Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both out of contract just a year later in 2027. Although the Reds signed teenager Giovanni Leoni last summer - on a £26m deal from Parma - it’s clear that major reinforcements are required in the heart of defence.

Liverpool like Nico Schlotterbeck

One of the most prominent names linked with a transfer to Anfield has been Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck. The 26-year-old Borussia Dortmund stopper has been with his current club since 2022 - and his current deal runs until 2027.

But there are indications that the left-footer wishes to move on rather than sign a new deal - prompting Liverpool and other top clubs to declare an interest.

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With Schlotterbeck starring on the left side of defence - and also capable of playing in a back three - he could be a multipurpose solution for some of Arne Slot’s defensive issues.

But Schlotterbeck won’t come cheap - with BILD estimating that the entire operation could cost any buying club somewhere in the region of €125m (£110m).

Overall Schlotterbeck deal would cost £110m

“Dortmund would demand a transfer fee of around €50 million for Schlotterbeck,” the report reads - while also detailing Bayern Munich's interest.

“On top of that, there's his salary: Dortmund are offering him a new contract worth €14 million including bonuses.

“In Munich, he could earn at least €15 million. That makes a total package of €125 million over five years!”

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Liverpool have got centre-back shortage

Liverpool’s failure to land Marc Guehi on deadline day has had a big impact on their season - especially considering Leoni’s ACL injury.

In recent matches Slot has had to play all of his fit centre-back options at once - with Gomez coming into the side at right-back.

But the 28-year-old is once again injured - meaning Liverpool are only one injury or suspension away from a full-blown centre-back crisis.

A deal for Schlotterbeck - either in January or else in summer - would certainly help prevent these kinds of problems from stacking up in future.