A “concrete” interest from Liverpool in Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck could open the door for Marc Gehi’s dream move and Bayern Munich to secure a deal for Arne Slott’s other target, the centre-back.
The Reds were dealt a huge blow on deadline day when Guehi’s proposed move from Crystal Palace fell through, a failure compounded by summer signing Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending ACL injury and Ibrahima Konate’s worrying start to the season.
Guehi will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season unless he extends his contract at Selhurst Park, and Liverpool remain interested in the England international, while Barcelona are also said to be eyeing the 25-year-old and waiting to see if Real Madrid come to the negotiating table.
Madrid have been linked with Konate, who is also under contract until the end of the season and reportedly has no intention of signing an extension at Anfield, but that move is currently in doubt following the Frenchman’s dismal performances, while Gehi continues to impress.
Bayern Munich have also been rumored to be interested in Gehi, and with Dayot Upamecano’s contract extension set to expire in the summer, they could move to sign the Palace captain if they fail to persuade him.
Both Bayern and Real Madrid will be intrigued by Liverpool’s interest in Schlotterbeck. If the Reds sign the German international, perhaps even in January, they will get what they want – Guehi to Madrid. Upamecano will remain at Bayern Munich.
Transfer expert Christian Falk claims that Europe’s three giants are eyeing the same trio of centre-backs, making it a pretty neat scenario of ‘one of each’, and that Liverpool could push for Schlotterbeck ‘this winter’.
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Bild claim that Schlotterbeck is “currently considering a contract extension” at Dormund, who want him to sign a new contract until 2030, when his current contract ends in 2027. The defender “wants to be able to play for titles in the future” but could opt for an extension to “improve his financial negotiating position”.
Dortmund want Schlotterbeck to agree to a new contract, but the 25-year-old is in no hurry. “It won’t be long before we get a contract extension!” he said before the Champions League game against Athletic Bilbao.
Asked about Schlotterbeck’s situation, Dortmund’s managing director Lars Ricken said: “It is his absolute right to plan his future wisely, which we respect. And I think the focus is not on salary, but on vision, trust and belief.”
“We don’t want to get into the hustle and bustle. But of course we don’t want to drag it out until St. Neverley’s Day. Everyone knows that.”
