Liverpool watching closely as £44m Van Dijk successor makes future plans

The time will soon come for Liverpool to consider replacements for Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutch defender will be turning 35 in summer and his contract expires in 2027. Therefore it makes sense for Richard Hughes and Reds’ recruiters to keep an eye on left-sided, experienced replacements.

Alessandro Bastoni and Murillo are two names that fit the bill. But the Premier League champions are being continually linked with Nico Schlotterbeck.

A recent report in Mundo Deportivo places Real Madrid as leading contenders to sign the Germany international.

But the Spanish publication also adds that Liverpool are keeping a close eye once again on Schlotterbeck.

Nico Schlotterbeck: Situation summary

Nico Schlotterbeck feels like the defender caught between two projects.

At Borussia Dortmund, he is the left‑sided pillar of their back line, a regular starter who has grown into one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable ball‑playing centre‑halves and a natural organiser in big Champions League games.

His current deal runs to 2027, and Dortmund are pushing hard for an extension with a pay rise and the promise of leadership status, while talks quietly explore a release clause kicking in from 2027 to keep everyone honest.

Around that, the sharks are circling: Liverpool have monitored him for months as a Virgil van Dijk succession option, identifying his left foot and front‑foot aggression as a clean stylistic fit.

Real Madrid are now heavily reported as serious contenders and, depending which German briefing you believe, could even be ahead in the race if he decides to leave Germany, with a fee discussed in the €40‑50m (£35m to £44m) bracket.

For now, Schlotterbeck sounds relaxed in public; in reality, he is one big decision away from choosing between being Dortmund’s next captain or someone else’s long‑term cornerstone.

Analysis

Given his age, quality and experience - not to mention a relatively low transfer fee - Schlotterbeck ticks a lot of boxes for the Anfield side.

With Van Dijk soon to be winding down his Liverpool career - and a left-sided successor required - Schlotterbeck could be the ideal candidate.

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