Report: Liverpool ready to match £50m release clause to sign 'one of the best ball-playing defenders' in Europe
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Liverpool have one eye on the summer transfer window with the Reds virtually having one hand already on the Premier League title.
Sunday’s Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle United means Arne Slot’s side can now only end the season with just one piece of silverware, with Liverpool’s 12-point lead over Arsenal with nine games to giving the Anfield side an incredibly strong chance of winning the Premier League.
With Thierry Henry not convinced Liverpool will implode in the league after losing the Carabao Cup to Newcastle, it makes sense why transfer rumours surrounding the Reds have increased, especially with so many big changes expected in the squad.
And Liverpool have seemingly identified one player they’re willing to spend big money on in the summer to improve an important position.
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Liverpool ready to meet Borussia Dortmund’s demands for Nico Schlotterbeck
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool are willing to match Borussia Dortmund’s demands for defender Nico Schlotterbeck, with the Germany international having a release clause worth €60m (£50m) that the Reds are willing to pay a sum close to this fee.
Once lauded by former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann as “one of the best ball-playing defenders” in all of Europe as per the Bundesliga’s official website, Schlotterbeck has been a regular for the German national team since moving to Dortmund in 2022.
The 25-year-old defender featured heavily for the German giants on their way to last season’s UEFA Champions League final, with Schlotterbeck this season linked with a move to Liverpool as the Reds look to bring in a top centre-back to improve their options at the back.
And with Virgil van Dijk’s future at Liverpool starting to become a worry, splashing out close to £50m on a replacement in the Dutchman in Schlotterbeck could be viewed by many as money well spent, especially with the centre-back only improving with every season.
What other defenders have Liverpool been linked with heading into the summer?
Central defence is shaping up to be an important area for Liverpool to make some big signings in this summer, with Schlotterbeck the latest name to be linked with the Reds heading into the transfer window.
Yet the Dortmund star is far from the only interesting player to be rumoured with a move to Anfield, with Dean Huijsen also a top target for Liverpool after a breakout season with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.
With VfL Wolfsburg's Konstantinos Koulierakis also being eyed by Liverpool, it’s clear that the Anfield side are keeping their options open going into the summer on defensive summer, which could see an unexpected signing or two come through the door in the off-season.
