Real Madrid’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is threatening to derail Liverpool’s transfer ambitions once again, as Jose Mourinho prioritises the signing of a left-footed centre-back in the current window.
The 26-year-old German international, who had been a prominent target for Liverpool, is now at the top of Mourinho’s shortlist, according to the latest reports from Sky Germany.
Schlotterbeck, who renewed his commitment to Dortmund with a contract extension until 2031 just this April, was previously viewed as out of reach for any suitors. However, the revelation of a release clause in his new deal-believed to be set between £42 million and £51 million-has reignited interest across Europe’s giants. Real Madrid, under Mourinho’s guidance, are said to be focusing on Schlotterbeck and Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, with both players considered versatile options for their defensive line.
The battle for Schlotterbeck’s signature comes as another chapter in a growing saga of Real Madrid outmanoeuvring Liverpool in the transfer market. Recent history is fresh in the minds of Liverpool supporters, who witnessed both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate decline contract renewals at Anfield to secure free transfers to the Spanish capital in successive summers. The memories of Real Madrid swooping for Aurelien Tchouameni in 2022-beating Liverpool to the French midfielder-remain raw.
As Mourinho intensifies his recruitment drive, Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola faces mounting concerns over defensive depth. Despite the £60 million arrival of Jeremy Jacquet and the recovery of Giovanni Leoni from an ACL injury, Iraola candidly addressed the fragility of his backline during a press conference on Tuesday: “With the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are, I think, very thin right now, so I think it’s a solution that we are trying to find, yes.”
Liverpool’s defensive worries are compounded by the ongoing rehabilitation of Conor Bradley, absent since January due to a knee injury. Iraola commented on the situation: “I think it depends on Conor’s situation. At the end if you have a fully fit, healthy Conor Bradley, we are very happy, ready to go and we would not be asking ourselves these questions. I think it’s a situation that is tricky, because we trust Conor in the long term, we know we want him to be our right-back but right now he is still, I would say, a little bit far from returning.”
With Mourinho’s Real Madrid now in pole position for Schlotterbeck, Liverpool may be forced back to the drawing board in their hunt for defensive reinforcements, as the transfer tussle between two of Europe’s footballing giants escalates once more.