Liverpool can trigger £50m release clause for Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck
Liverpool have been given the opportunity to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck after details of a restricted £50m release clause emerged.
The German international recently signed a new long-term contract with the Bundesliga club in an attempt to fend off mounting transfer speculation.
However, an exclusive clause allows a select group of elite European teams to secure his services for a fee between £43m and £52m.
Sky Sports Germany reports that the Merseyside club are one of the few designated sides permitted to activate this contractual option.
Defensive rebuild looms at Anfield
The Reds are proactively targeting centre-back reinforcements ahead of a significant summer transition.
Captain Virgil van Dijk will turn 35 before the new campaign begins, while the long-term future of Joe Gomez remains uncertain.
Anfield executives have already secured the signing of Jeremy Jacquet and are finalising a contract extension for Ibrahima Konate.
Adding a top-level European centre-half would provide an immediate boost to a squad preparing for life without departing veterans Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.
Real Madrid competition and deadline pressures
Any move for the highly-rated defender must be completed swiftly due to strict contractual deadlines.
The release clause expires in mid-July, shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup tournament.
Spanish giants Real Madrid also hold the right to trigger the agreement, creating fierce potential competition for his signature.
Liverpool’s recruitment strategy may ultimately hinge on securing Champions League qualification following a challenging period that recently saw a key forward stretchered off against Paris St-Germain.
