Liverpool told €50m star will become the 'face of the club'

Tom Weber

Updated: 16 Mar 2025 11:05 CDT
3 min read

Borussia Dortmund want to make Liverpool target Nico Schlotterbeck 'the face of the club,' according to German media.

Liverpool are scouring the centre-back market. Bolstering the heart of their backline has become a priority after refraining from strengthening that department in recent windows.

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In 2023, Liverpool were interested in adding a young defender, but nothing materialised. The emergence of Jarrel Quansah last season meant that the Reds also did not dip into the market in 2024, but the 22-year-old has only played a peripheral role under Arne Slot.

This, in conjunction with the uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk's contract situation, has convinced Liverpool that now is the time to bring in a fresh face. Dean Huijsen and, more recently, Marc Guehi have emerged as credible targets.

Indeed, it has been sensationally claimed that the latter is almost guaranteed to move to Anfield, although these assertions seem premature at this stage. Another name recently linked with Liverpool has been Nico Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund want to keep Schlotterbeck

Earlier this week, it was reported that Liverpool would be willing to pay up to €50 million for the Borussia Dortmund centre-back this summer. However, according to Sky Germany, the Bundesliga side are determined to keep the Germany international.

In fact, BVB want to tie the 25-year-old down to a long-term contract, double his salary and make him the 'face of the club' and potential future captain.

Despite Dortmund's rotten season - which could see them miss out on European qualification - Schlotterbeck is not averse to staying, although a summer transfer can't be entirely ruled out.

Compared to most Dortmund players, Schlotterbeck has been relatively reliable this season, but even he has struggled to cope with the dire state of the club.

Indeed, since joining in 2022, the defender has only rarely been able to hit the same heights he previously hit at Freiburg when he established himself as one of the Bundesliga's best defenders in and out of possession.