Liverpool transfer news amid Nico Schlotterbeck agreement and $93M Barcelona offer

Liverpool transfer news as an update emerges on Nico Schlotterbeck's future, while the Reds are said to be in the running with two more Premier League clubs to sign a Barcelona star this summer

Nico Schlotterbeck has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer(Image: Getty Images)

With the international break now over, Liverpool’s full attention will turn to what is a crucial couple of months for the club.

The Reds will return to action on Saturday as they face Manchester City in the FA Cup, with a trip to France following just four days later as they come up against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The priority lies in making sure they’re at Europe’s top table again next season though, and there’s still a lot of work to do on that front.

Missing out on a place in the Champions League could have a huge impact on what is set to be another big summer, especially after Mohamed Salah announced his impending departure.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)

Details have been agreed on a new contract for Nico Schlotterbeck at Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, despite the defender denying this week that he is close to signing a new deal.

Responding to rumors that he was closing in on a contract extension to keep him at Dortmund until 2031, Schlotterbeck said: "I must clearly deny that. Unfortunately, we haven't reached that point.”

Plettenberg though has claimed that the figures of a new deal have been agreed and “won’t change significantly”, with Dortmund waiting for Schlotterbeck’s final approval. A change in the club’s sporting director looks to have held up the process, with Nils-Ole Book having replaced Sebastian Kehl last week.

Liverpool.com says: Even though Schlotterbeck has denied it this week, it does seem as though he's closer to extending his stay at Dortmund than leaving in the summer.

If Liverpool has any desire to sign him then, it may have to act quickly, although that might depend on Ibrahima Konate's plans. If the Frenchman is also going to be signing a new deal, then that reduces the need for a new center-back.

Jules Kounde (Barcelona)

Liverpool could face competition for Jules Kounde’s signing, with Mundo Deportivo claiming that the Reds are just one of three Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on him.

It’s suggested that Liverpool is looking to make a strong defensive signing at full-back, having signed the attacking Jeremie Frimpong last summer, with Kounde being watched closely. Manchester City and Chelsea are also said to be interested though.

Jules Kounde has been linked with a move to Liverpool(Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Although Kounde signed a new contract last summer to keep him at Barcelona until 2030, it is hinted that the Catalan club could be tempted into selling him. It’s claimed that Barca would find it “difficult to refuse” if an offer of €80 million ($93M) was made.

Liverpool.com says: The way things are going at right-back, signing Kounde might not be too bad an idea.

Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong's continued injury problems are becoming a real concern, and Liverpool can't keep relying on Dominik Szoboszlai to fill in. He's far too good to keep moving him out of midfield.