Manchester United lead race for 25-year-old Bundesliga defender ahead of Barcelona and Liverpool – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have not had the start to the 2025/26 season that they envisioned. The Catalan club has suffered several injuries, and defensive issues have raised concerns.

During the summer, Barcelona lost Inigo Martinez to Al Nassr. After a strong season for the club under Hansi Flick, the Spanish veteran chose to move to the Saudi Pro League to continue his career, and the Catalan club decided not to replace him in Flick’s squad. That decision now appears increasingly short-sighted.

FC Barcelona are already exploring potential reinforcements, and Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund has emerged as a key target. However, the Catalan giants are not alone in their pursuit of the 25-year-old German defender.

According to Fichajes, Nico Schlotterbeck is attracting interest from several top European clubs, with Manchester United reportedly leading the race, while Barcelona and Liverpool are also monitoring the situation closely.

Schlotterbeck’s contract with Dortmund runs until 2027, and he does not seem eager to extend his deal. This contractual situation creates a window of opportunity for clubs ready to make a decisive offer.

Borussia Dortmund are unlikely to block a significant bid for a player of his quality, which could leave Barcelona needing to act quickly to compete with the Premier League clubs.

Left-footed and excellent in possession, he is an ideal centre back for Hansi Flick at Barcelona. The German manager would love to have a profile like that in his starting XI, and Schlotterbeck’s intelligence makes him an excellent candidate to play alongside Pau Cubarsi.

With interest growing across Europe, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Schlotterbeck joins Barcelona, Liverpool, or moves to Manchester United.

For all clubs involved, the message is clear: move decisively or risk losing out on one of the most promising left-footed central defenders in European football.