Not many hours after PSG had sent Liverpool out of the Champions League, in what Arne Slet described as “the best game he has ever been in”, a video was circulating on social media of a Liverpool captain in talks with the “football enemy”. Now we understand why Liverpool are already working on a push towards signing their replacement.
Okay, the video shows three grown guys talking to each other without us knowing what, but when Virgil van Dijk is one of them, and the other two are the bosses at PSG, then it gets noticed. There has been little, if any, movement in the negotiations for an extension between Liverpool and the Dutch captain, so for Liverpool supporters, the video was disturbing.
On Monday, German media reported Liverpool had sent a signal they are coming for a centre-back in the Bundesliga. Few, if any, can replace the world’s best centre-back, but it was also Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp who helped develop Van Dijk into world class, now it’s about bringing in the centre-back who can be “shaped” into the same. After the video with the captain talking to the PSG bosses, we understand why Liverpool are active.
According to Bild, Liverpool have now shown strong interest in Nico Schlottenbeck. Borussia Dortmund secured the German international from Freiburg in 2022, now the 25-year-old stands with 121 games in the black and yellow shirt.
Dortmund have a contract with Schlottenbeck until 2027, with a market value of €40 million (transfermarkt) it will take a lot for Dortmund to give up the centre-back without a fight. According to Bild , Liverpool have signalled they are prepared to fork out over €50 million for one of the few players with the potential to replace Van Dijk.
