Liverpool's SENSATIONAL deal for centre-back moves closer

Liverpool are scouring over potential defensive transfer targets ahead of a dynamic change.

In one sense, more defenders need to be brought in to help the immediate future of the team, since it's confirmed that Giovanni Leoni is likely to be out for most of the season, and his fitness over the next few years is going to have to be managed carefully as he goes through rehabilitation.

Furthermore, both Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are at risk of leaving the club in the summer as free agents, following the expiration of their current deals and stalls in talks for new contracts.

However, the long-term future of the side will rest in part on who replaces Virgil Van Dijk, the club's captain and ever-present defender, who has been at his imperious best for almost eight years now.

As such, there are lots of reasons for the current interest in defenders and one deal in particular looks to be closer than ever following a recent update, which claims that Liverpool are frontrunners.

'His future is through Liverpool'

According to Defensa Central, citing a report from Liverpool journalist David Lynch, the Reds are largely considered to be the favourites to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck.

In their latest report, it said: "The young defender of Borussia Dortmund has been in the sights of Juni Calafat for a long time, although his future is through Liverpool, something that journalist David Lynch has confirmed.

"There is nothing concrete, but Schlotterbeck certainly likes it [Liverpool]. I'm a little skeptical of Upamecano, but Schlotterbeck is a player who has been followed and appreciated. I think it will be for the summer, not for January.

"... Real Madrid knows that they are definitely losing Nico Schlotterbeck."

Of course, the added complexity to this update is that Real Madrid might not be too concerned about the prospect of losing out on Schlotterbeck if Konate refuses to pen a new deal with Liverpool, which would open up the door to the Frenchman joining the Spanish giants.

It's unlikely that Liverpool would be viewing at the 25-year-old German defender as a replacement for Konate, however, since he's left-footed and seen as more of a close profile match to Van Dijk.

Consolidating on the current set-up was the plan last summer, when Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace was favoured for a move, which unfortunately collapsed in the dying minutes of deadline day.

As such, what Schlotterbeck's role in Arne Slot's set-up would be is still to be confirmed, and so it's plausible that he could be brought in without anyone necessarily having to make way for him to join.

Nonetheless, we're talking about a player who will require a transfer fee, since his current deal is not up until 2027, meaning a cut-price move might be possible, but he will not be allowed to go for free.

Having spent four years as a first-team defender in the Bundesliga for Dortmund, the German will offer expertise and experience to Liverpool and he's well-known for being a reliable operator.

As such, he'd be a welcome addition, and Real Madrid considering him as Liverpool-bound is most certainly a boost, but the underlying complex issues in the Reds' defence will continue to linger on.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range 

👉🏻 Liverpool have a NEW right-back and he's the best in the world

👉🏻 Marc Guehi is COMING: Liverpool will agree deal to sign England star

👉🏻 Liverpool legend's son is now an elite centre-back