Liverpool are reportedly “very interested” in signing Borussia Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck as a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk.

The German international might be set to leave Dortmund this summer along with several teammates if they fail to secure European football.

It has been a disastrous season for last year’s Champions League finalists, currently sitting 10th in the Bundesliga, but Schlotterbeck has been recognized as a leadership figure.

Liverpool are willing to pay around £42 million for the 25-year-old, according to a report from Bild, with his contract running until 2027.

That fee would make him the club’s second-most expensive defender, behind the £75 million they paid Southampton for Van Dijk in 2018.

The Reds need to plan for the future in central defense, as Van Dijk’s contract expires this summer, and Joe Gomez is also considered a potential candidate for departure.

Even Ibrahima Konaté could leave Anfield, as his contract expires in 2026, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested.

Schlotterbeck, who stands at 6ft 3in, is in his third season with Dortmund and serves as one of the backup captains, alongside former Liverpool player Emre Can.

He is believed to earn around £4.2 million per year, which aligns with Liverpool’s mid-level earners.

Having started his career at SC Freiburg, he spent a season on loan at Union Berlin before joining Germany’s second-biggest club in 2022.

He has already been named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season twice, for 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Last season, he played a crucial role in the team that reached the Champions League final, starting in the match where Dortmund lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.

Liverpool have successfully recruited from the Bundesliga over the past decade, signing players like Roberto Firmino, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konaté, Can, and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Their chances of landing Schlotterbeck will depend on how Dortmund performs in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Lille.

Dortmund could face a mass exodus of stars this summer if they fail to qualify for European competition.

Dortmund manager Niko Kovac, who joined in January, aims to turn their season around.

Dortmund travels to northern France with the score tied at 1-1, and crashing out at this stage could seriously affect the confidence of their stars in the club.

However, a deep run in the tournament and improved league performance may persuade key players to stay.

Arne Slot reassured fans in January that Liverpool are “definitely” working on summer signings after a quiet but effective approach to the transfer market during his tenure so far.

The club made two signings last summer, bringing in Federico Chiesa, who has been largely sidelined due to injury, and Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will join the squad next season.

“I know people sometimes question this because they haven’t seen us making many moves in the transfer market this summer or winter. There’s a reason for that—we’re happy with the squad,” he stated.

“But I know we’re definitely working on strengthening in the summer.”

The Telegraph also reported that the Merseysiders are interested in signing Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who could cost over £40 million.