Liverpool have been dealt a fresh blow in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck.

Previous reports from German publication Sport BILD have claimed that the defender is a target at Anfield. But The Reds would face a battle to sign the 25-year-old from Dortmund as it's now suggested the German team are looking to make Schlotterbeck the face of their club.

It has previously been claimed that Liverpool are prepared to make an offer worth €50million (£41.7m) to sign him.

But recent reports from Ruhr Nachrichten have now claimed that Niklas Sule’s spell at Dortmund will come to an end when his contract expires in the summer of 2026. It is said that the Black and Yellows have already decided not to extend the 30-year-old defender’s contract.

Sule's possible departure would then inevitably make any potential exit for Schlotterbeck difficult. His exit would see Dortmund free up some money on the wage bill to potentially offer their star centre-back a new contract - warding off reported...