Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool will battle Real Madrid for ‘outstanding’ star | OneFootball

It's clear that one of Liverpool's main focuses over the next couple of transfer windows will be improving their defence.

The Reds have already acquired the services of Jeremy Jacquet ahead of the 2026-27 season and, with the future of players such as Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson still up in the air, it's unclear what the Reds' plans will be.

Arne Slot has said on several occasions that the Anfield outfit want to keep Konate around but, with Robertson getting into the latter stages of his career, it's not hard to understand why they want to move him on and let him leave for nothing.

However, since they'd be losing an abundance of experience with the exit of the Scotsman, it's unsurprising to see several players being linked with Anfield switches.

Slot's defensive depth has been one of his main problems this term and, although the club probably have a shortlist of players they'd like to try and sign, most of their targets are wanted by half of Europe with Real Madrid now confirmed to be interested in one of their options.

Real Madrid are interested in signing Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund

Although Nico Schlotterbeck's contract isn't going to expire until the end of next season, several clubs are already circling around the German.

He's one of Borussia Dortmund's best defenders and, since he's only 26 years old, his best years could still be ahead of him.

By trade, he's a centre-back but there have been occasions in the past when the defender has been used as a left-back.

And, since Liverpool have been interested in Schlotterbeck for some time, he could be at the top of their shortlist.

However, his transfer won't come without competition with Fabrizio Romano confirming that Real Madrid have sent scouts to watch the defender.

"Remember, he’s out of contract in 2027, so soon will be time for decisions. For sure, he’s a player Real Madrid are following," he shared via his YouTube channel.

"Real Madrid had scouts to follow the progress of Schlotterbeck in the recent games, also in the game vs Bayern Munich last weekend.

"They want to see how the player is developing and working under pressure in a big game against Bayern, so Real Madrid are monitoring the player.

"It’s also based on the potential finances this summer, depending on whether Schlotterbeck signs a new deal at Dortmund or not.

"So it’s a situation Real Madrid are monitoring."

Nico Schlotterbeck would be a perfect transfer for Liverpool

Although Schlotterbeck is slightly older than most of the players that Liverpool have signed over the last couple of years, he's still young enough to spend the prime years of his career at Anfield.

The centre-back has made 151 appearances for Dortmund across all competitions with 39 of them coming in the Champions League.

In fact, his performance levels have been so high that the defender has been dubbed an "outstanding" player by Julian Naglesmann.

This level of experience is often hard to find in a veteran player, never mind a 26 year old who's entering the final 12 months of his contract next season.

There's obviously a lot that could still happen and, if Real do end up making the German their number one target, there's often only one way that goes.

However, since the Reds have had long-term interest in the defender, they could emerge as front runners, which, if Konate does end up leaving, could be the best thing to happen to them.