Manchester United have joined Liverpool in the race for Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, with Barcelona currently viewed as frontrunners. A report claims the 25-year-old has a €40-50m January price and could even be available on a free in the summer, setting up a high-stakes scramble.
INEOS are said to admire the German international and Ruben Amorim has approved a move, while Liverpool remain keen on adding depth at centre-back. Barcelona’s financial reality points them toward opportunistic deals, and the prospect of a pre-contract is on the table if the timeline allows.
For Tottenham, the ripple effect is obvious. A top defender moving to a direct rival changes the race for European places and the market for centre-backs in 2026. The question is who moves first and on what terms.
Barcelona are in pole for Nico Schlotterbeck
Barcelona need quality and depth without heavy upfront spend. Schlotterbeck fits: left-footed, ball-secure, aerially strong, and proven at Borussia Dortmund. A pre-contract for the summer would align with their finances and avoid a bidding war. It also offers the player a clear pathway at a club that leans into ball-playing centre-backs.
For the Catalans, speed matters. Tie down intent early and the rest of the market is reacting, not dictating.
Manchester United & Liverpool interested in Nico Schlotterbeck
United’s logic is straightforward. They want a long-term defensive pillar as the back line evolves. With Amorim’s approval and INEOS support, the structure is there to move fast if January opens a window at €40-50m. Wait for summer and the appeal of a free increases, but so does competition.
United’s pitch can centre on role and runway: a starting berth in a back three or four, with time to bed in before next season’s push.
Liverpool’s need is depth and reliability. A January fee secures the profile now; a summer free keeps powder dry but risks losing the player. The trade-off is timing versus certainty. If a pre-contract becomes viable, Liverpool must decide how much they value immediate reinforcement over market patience.
Their advantage is a defined role in a side that defends high and builds clean from the back. The challenge is beating Barcelona’s head start.
What a Premier League move would mean for Spurs’ rivals
A Schlotterbeck landing at Old Trafford or Anfield tilts the defensive arms race. He improves first contact on crosses, settles build-up under pressure, and adds left-side balance that many Premier League back lines crave. For Tottenham, it narrows the margin for error in head-to-head games and nudges prices up for alternative targets.
Editorial verdict: Barcelona sit in pole for the long game, but a decisive Premier League bid in January could flip the board. Whoever aligns fee, role and timing first will win this one.
