Liverpool plotting shock January transfer move for Germany star

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Nico Schlotterbeck is on Liverpool’s radar as a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk (Picture: Getty) Liverpool have entered the race to sign Nico Schlotterbeck and view the Borussia Dortmund star as a possible long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, according to reports in Germany. Get personalised updates on Liverpool every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.

The centre-back has been capped 22 times by Germany (Picture: Getty) Dortmund’s contract talks with Schlotterbeck have ground to a halt (Picture: Getty) Liverpool are preparing for life without Ibrahima Konate, who will be available on a free transfer when his contract comes to an end next summer. But it’s claimed the reigning Premier League champions view Schlotterbeck as a ‘long-term successor’ to club captain Virgil van Dijk, whose deal expires in 2027.

Liverpool have begun to plan for life without Van Dijk (Picture: Getty) However, Dortmund’s hierarchy are said to have categorically ruled out a move for Schlotterbeck midway through the season. Speaking ahead of Dortmund’s recent Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao, though, Schlotterbeck said: ‘It won’t be any time soon that I’ll extend my contract!’ BVB sporting director Lars Ricken, meanwhile, underlined that the club would ‘respect’ whatever Schlotterbeck had planned for his future. ‘It is his absolute right to plan his future carefully.