Liverpool handed Nico Schlotterbeck transfer boost as contract refusal emerges

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Nico Schlotterbeck has been linked with a move to Anfield amid Liverpool's search for a centre-back, having missed out on signing Marc Guehi in the summer transfer windowNico Schlotterbeck is reportedly refusing to sign a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, boosting Liverpool's chance of signing him. Schlotterbeck, 25, has been linked with a move to Anfield, as Arne Slot's side are in the market for a centre-back.Ibrahima Konate is approaching the final six months of his deal and is able to sign a pre-contract with a club from abroad when the January transfer window opens.

But Liverpool have others options, such as Schlotterbeck.The German has grown in stature across three-and-a-half seasons at the Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund chiefs want him to sign a new contract but he's said to be refusing amid tension with boss Niko Kovac, according to Bild.Schlotterbeck isn't impressed with Kovac's pragmatic tactics which have come under scrutiny of late.

Dortmund CEO Lars Ricken said regarding Schlotterbeck's future: "We will not rush into anything. But of course, we don't want to drag it out indefinitely, everyone is aware of that."As for Schlotterbeck himself, he said after losing to Bayern: "I still have over a year-and-a-half left on my contract.