Liverpool Pulls the Plug on Dortmund’s Defensive Gem: A Transfer Saga Stalled at the Door

Liverpool withdraws from Dortmund defensive jewel

Liverpool have reportedly decided to drop their interest in Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck as negotiations over a new contract at Dortmund stall.

The 25 year old defender's deal runs to 2027, and Dortmund want to keep him, but talks have stretched for months without a new agreement.

Liverpool had previously been among the clubs monitoring Schlotterbeck, but sources say the move never progressed to a formal bid. The Reds instead shifted focus to other targets after a failed pursuit of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

Schlotterbeck's position leaves Dortmund in a delicate spot. They want to retain one of their defensive pillars while the player's representatives appear in no rush to commit, keeping options open ahead of the 2026 World Cup year.

With Bayern Munich watching the situation closely, Real Madrid has been linked as a potential suitor, though no concrete steps have been taken yet. The German club aims to balance ambition with patience and avoid rushing a long term commitment that could hamper the squad's plans.

Warning to Schlotterbeck from Dortmund

Sporting director Lars Ricken issued an indirect reminder that Dortmund will not wait forever. In remarks cited by Bild he stressed that a future oriented approach matters beyond salary, highlighting confidence, prospects and mutual trust.

Meanwhile coach Niko Kovac publicly backed Schlotterbeck, praising his commitment in training and his desire to play every minute, while implying that the present matters more than speculative talks about the future.

As things stand Schlotterbeck remains keen on the Bundesliga and the Dortmund project. The player previously indicated he would rather stay in Germany than move to England or Spain, and his camp continues to value the ties with Dortmund's fanbase of more than 81,000 per game. Still, personal ambitions and the lure of titles could tip the balance at a later date.

Punchline 1: If patience were a transfer fee, Liverpool would still be waiting for the deal to clear.

Punchline 2: Schlotterbeck might be Dortmund's gem, but apparently his contract still has more sparkle than Liverpool's wish list.