Tusport - News - Schlotterbeck dreams of Liverpool move amid €52.5m clause talk

Liverpool FC are being linked with a summer move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck after multiple reports claimed the Germany international is “dreaming of joining” the Anfield club. The 24-year-old recently extended his contract at Dortmund, but Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reported on X that a release clause can be activated this summer by a select group of clubs, a list understood to include Liverpool and Real Madrid. Further fuel arrived from the X account Space | ™, which stated Schlotterbeck told teammate Florian Wirtz during Germany camp that he dreams of playing for Liverpool and has instructed his agent, Björn Etzel, to position a potential switch once his international commitments are complete. The account also claimed the defender’s renewal includes a €52.5 million (£45 million) clause already active in this window. The speculation gathers at a time when uncertainty surrounds Ibrahima Konaté’s future. Some reports suggest the France international—who publicly indicated in April he was close to a new deal—could yet depart as a free agent when his current terms expire this summer. Should Liverpool decide they need a right-sided centre-half or broader depth, Schlotterbeck’s profile appears attractive: a left-footed, front-foot defender comfortable stepping into midfield lines, progressive with his passing, and strong in duels inside the box. Schlotterbeck himself kept the focus on Germany duty when speaking to Bild, as relayed by Buli News: “What do you mean by shop window? I play 50 games a year. Of course, I’m clearly focused on the World Cup, trying to play good matches there with Germany.” Even so, the combination of an attainable release figure and the player’s reported admiration for Anfield makes this one to watch in the coming weeks. For Liverpool, any move would need to align with the club’s recruitment strategy and defensive balance around Virgil van Dijk and Konaté’s situation. For Dortmund, the existence of a clause means the decision may largely rest with the player and qualifying clubs. With the clause reportedly active now, Liverpool’s stance—and whether they test Dortmund’s resolve—could define one of the headline centre-back stories of the window.