However, the presence of a release clause (activating in 2027) is sure to inspire a few raised brows across the halls of power in Madrid and Liverpool.<\/p>\n
Nico Schlotterbeck is increasingly likely to stay put at Dortmund<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly \u2018confident\u2019 of keeping Anfield-linked Schlotterbeck<\/a> in Germany for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n However, the main man himself has yet to rubber-stamp an agreement that would also hand him an exit route a year later.<\/p>\n \u201cThat verbal agreement between Nico Schlotterbeck\u2019s agency and Borussia Dortmund is almost done \u2013 new contract valid until 2031, improved salary for Schlotterbeck (one of the best earners in Borussia Dortmund and one of the best earners for Bundesliga defenders,\u201d\u00a0Romano spoke on his eponymous YouTube channel.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso including a release clause from summer 2027, in excess of \u20ac60m\u201365m [\u00a352m-56.4m]. <\/p>\n \u201cSo everything is set to be completed between Schlotterbeck\u2019s camp and Dortmund. What\u2019s needed is the final green light from the player. Let\u2019s see what it\u2019s going to be\u2026 Borussia Dortmund are confident to keep the player.\u201d<\/p>\n Either way, this at least presents a significant hindrance to either Real Madrid or Arne Slot\u2019s Liverpool, at a time when both outfits are understood to be in clear need of defensive reinforcements.<\/p>\n Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a\u00a0preferred source on Google<\/a>\u00a0to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n Los Blancos, certainly, are expected to see both veteran centre-backs, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, depart this coming summer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n What\u2019s going on with Liverpool\u2019s interest in Schlotterbeck?<\/p>\n Liverpool have reportedly yet to communicate serious intent with regards to a transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano.<\/p>\n \u201cLiverpool never sent any official proposal, also because they signed Jeremy Jacquet in the January transfer window,\u201d\u00a0the Italian went on to add.<\/p>\n At any rate, with a new contract potentially in place, the Reds would be forced into another big-money move should they wish to replenish their centre-back stocks.<\/p>\n There may be less of an active desire in that regard following the signing of Jacquet in the winter window \u2013 although the Frenchman\u2019s serious injury does complicate matters somewhat.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Likewise, the highly-rated Giovanni Leoni will be returning from an ACL injury ahead of the 2026\/27 season, and it seems increasingly likely that Ibrahima Konate will see out his contract expiring in June.<\/p>\n To put it simply, Liverpool need to sign another centre-half this summer if there\u2019s an expectation that this will be the Frenchman\u2019s final season on Merseyside.<\/p>\n We may need to cast our gaze elsewhere, given the likely astronomical price tag BVB will slap on their star defender\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n On the plus side, if there\u2019s a release clause potentially already in place next summer, it seems Nico Schlotterbeck is already banking on an exit from Dortmund<\/a> at some point in the near future.<\/p>\n
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