Nico Schlotterbeck gives Liverpool new transfer hope after 'surprise' contract admission

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Liverpool's hopes of signing Nico Schlotterbeck looked to have been ended by reports that the defender would sign a new deal at Borussia Dortmund, but he has now speaken out on the rumors

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

Nico Schlotterbeck has given Liverpool new hope of a potential transfer this summer after shooting down reports of him nearing a new contract at Borussia Dortmund.

Schlotterbeck has been linked with a move to Anfield this summer, with the Reds potentially in the market for another center-back, although that may well depend on whether Ibrahima Konate chooses to sign a new contract.

It seemed as though any chances of signing Schlotterbeck as a replacement for the Frenchman had been extinguished after reports in Germany suggested that the 26-year-old was set to extend his stay at Dortmund, and end the speculation over his future.

Bild had claimed that the defender was set to sign an extension to keep him at the Signal Iduna Park until 2031, although Schlotterbeck has now moved to deny that, having admitted he was “surprised by the reporting” after Germany’s win over Ghana on Monday.

"I must clearly deny that. Unfortunately, we haven't reached that point,” Scholtterbeck said.

Schlotterbeck also suggested that Dortmund changing its sporting director had set any new contract decision back, with Nils-Ole Book having replaced Sebastian Kehl last week.

Nico Schlotterbeck has denied reports he's about to sign a new contract at Borussia Dortmund(Image: Getty)

"I probably would have made a decision in the next few weeks [but] I negotiated with Sebastian for a long time and he's no longer there [at Dortmund],” Schlotterbeck added.

“I have to see. I will hold talks with Ole [Book – the club's new sporting director], but it's not time yet. It's bad for the BVB fans right now. But it's not an easy situation for me either.”

Dortmund sporting manager Lars Ricken has now responded to Schlotterbeck’s comments, confirming that no breakthrough has been made with the defender.

"Nico’s statements are understandable. We have confirmed neither a breakthrough nor an agreement, so it was rather the recent reporting that surprised us,” Ricken said.

"Our fundamental stance of binding him to BVB long term has not changed. We continue to work on that," added Ricken.

Schlotterbeck’s current deal runs until 2027, meaning Dortmund will likely either have to tie him down to a new deal this summer, or cash in while it still can.

Liverpool has been linked with signing Schlotterbeck, although the Reds do already have young center-back Jeremy Jacquet arriving from Rennes after agreeing a deal during the winter transfer window.

What’s more, Konate has now hinted that he could be set to stay at Anfield, despite only being a few months away from his contract expiring, having spoken candidly about the future of the club.