Liverpool Eye Shock January Move for German Star Nico Schlotterbeck 🇩🇪🔴
Liverpool are reportedly considering a surprise move for German defender Nico Schlotterbeck in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to reports from Germany, the Reds have entered the race to sign the Borussia Dortmund centre-back, viewing him as a potential long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk.
Since joining Dortmund from SC Freiburg in 2022, Schlotterbeck has established himself as one of the most reliable and respected defenders in German football. Now 25 years old, he’s a regular starter for Julian Nagelsmann’s national team and is widely expected to feature in Germany’s World Cup squad — should they qualify for the 2026 tournament in North America.
Despite his impressive form for both club and country, Schlotterbeck’s future has become a growing topic of speculation. Reports from Bild suggest that Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are also monitoring the situation as the player remains undecided about extending his contract with Dortmund.
The defender is said to be motivated by a desire to compete consistently for major trophies — something he has yet to achieve with BVB — and may be “betting on the interest” from Europe’s elite clubs to shape his next move.
Liverpool have now reportedly “joined the poker game,” with sources suggesting it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine Dortmund holding onto their star defender beyond this season.
The Merseyside club are also preparing for potential defensive changes. Ibrahima Konaté is set to become a free agent next summer when his contract expires, while club captain Virgil van Dijk’s deal runs until 2027 — prompting Liverpool to start planning for the future.
Adding to their urgency, young defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious knee injury that could keep him sidelined for up to a year, further strengthening the case for a January move.
However, Dortmund’s hierarchy is said to be unwilling to sanction a mid-season transfer, insisting Schlotterbeck remains part of their long-term project. His current contract runs until June 2027, and the club reportedly hopes to extend it by three more years, keeping him until 2030.
Still, the player’s recent comments have fueled speculation. Before Dortmund’s recent Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao, Schlotterbeck admitted:
“I won’t be extending my contract anytime soon.”
Meanwhile, Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken told Bild:
“It’s entirely his decision to consider his future carefully — and we respect that.
The focus should be on vision, trust, and conviction, not salary.
We won’t rush this process, but we also don’t want it to drag on forever. Everyone understands that.”
With tensions rising and Europe’s top clubs circling, Liverpool’s pursuit of Schlotterbeck could become one of the defining transfer stories of the January window.
