Liverpool Monitoring Nico Schlotterbeck Scenario as Contract Talks Stall
Reviews from Germany recommend that Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck is hesitating to signal a brand new contract, alerting a number of prime European golf equipment – with Liverpool amongst these intently monitoring developments.
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, the 25-year-old Germany worldwide has been supplied recent phrases by Dortmund, however negotiations have slowed as a consequence of disagreement over wage expectations. That standstill might open the door for Premier League curiosity, although Dortmund stay reluctant to sanction any January departure.
Photograph: IMAGO
Liverpool’s Defensive Priorities
With Liverpool coping with defensive damage setbacks, together with considerations surrounding Ibrahima Konaté, there’s an growing sense that reinforcements could also be required within the January switch window. Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are understood to be assessing a number of choices, with Schlotterbeck rising as a primary candidate.
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Sources in Germany point out that Liverpool view the left-footed centre-back as a great long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk. His mixture of aerial dominance, composure on the ball and powerful positional sense matches the membership’s defensive philosophy.
BILD’s report additionally claims that the participant himself is open to a Premier League change, with Liverpool seen as one of many few golf equipment capable of meet each Dortmund’s valuation and the participant’s private ambitions.
Why Schlotterbeck Appeals to Liverpool
These inside the Liverpool recruitment construction are mentioned to desire Schlotterbeck over different obtainable choices, together with Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. One Merseyside-based journalist famous:
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“Schlotterbeck makes extra sense for Liverpool, and he’s the higher participant as effectively. Upamecano’s bought errors in him. Schlotterbeck is somebody they positively like and have watched intently.”
That view displays a rising consensus amongst analysts that the Dortmund defender’s profile fits Liverpool’s evolving system beneath Slot. His statistics this season underline that time: over 270 Bundesliga minutes, he has received over 70 per cent of his aerial duels, accomplished 14 recoveries and made 4 interceptions – all whereas sustaining composure in possession.
His current worldwide performances for Germany have solely bolstered that fame. Within the win over Northern Eire, Schlotterbeck earned an 8/10 ranking from FotMob after profitable 5 of six aerial duels and serving to safe a clear sheet.
Dortmund’s Contract Problem
For Dortmund, the important thing situation revolves round wages. Reviews declare Schlotterbeck has been supplied a brand new deal operating till 2030, price round €8 million (£6.9m) per yr. Nevertheless, the participant is reportedly dissatisfied, notably when in comparison with teammate Niklas Süle, who earns near €14 million (£12.1m) regardless of a decreased function.
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Christian Falk of Bayern Insider defined:
“He already has a contract provide till the summer season of 2030 on the desk from Dortmund. Nevertheless, if he accepts, he would simply earn about €8m gross – and he’s not glad with this. That’s additionally as a result of his teammate, Niklas Süle, is incomes considerably extra and he’s typically on the bench.”
That pay disparity, mixed with Liverpool’s curiosity, might place strain on Dortmund within the months forward. Whereas the membership have publicly dominated out a January sale, historical past means that stance can soften if a considerable provide arrives.
Switch Outlook and Potential Charge
Liverpool had been reportedly ready to pay round £50 million for Schlotterbeck final summer season. Along with his present contract operating till 2027, any mid-season strategy is predicted to exceed that determine, particularly given Dortmund’s reluctance to weaken their squad mid-campaign.
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A lot will rely on whether or not Schlotterbeck renews earlier than January. If talks proceed to stall, Dortmund might face a tough choice: threat dropping leverage in the summertime, or money in early whereas his market worth stays excessive.
For Liverpool, whose defensive depth has been examined, the state of affairs represents each a problem and a possibility. A confirmed worldwide defender of Schlotterbeck’s calibre not often turns into obtainable mid-season – and if the numbers align, the Merseyside membership might but make a decisive transfer.