Liverpool is showing strong signs of success in acquiring their target player after his current club has chosen a replacement.
On 12 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Bild, a leading German media outlet, reported that Liverpool, a prominent English Premier League club, has an increased chance of signing Niko Schlotterbeck, a German international defender, in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Liverpool continues to seek defensive reinforcements despite having agreed to sign 20-year-old French prospect Jérémy Doku from Ligue 1's Rennes for a total of £60 million, due to Ibrahima Konaté not yet extending his contract and Virgil van Dijk showing signs of decline.
Liverpool has reportedly been interested in Niko Schlotterbeck for some time, as he has yet to agree on a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund, where he has one and a half years remaining. Dortmund has made an offer but stated they will wait for his decision until summer.
Most recently, Bild revealed that Liverpool's chances of signing Schlotterbeck have increased because Dortmund has already identified a replacement: Marcos Senesi, an Argentine international defender whose contract with Bournemouth expires at the end of this season.
Currently, Marcos Senesi is free to negotiate with foreign clubs without Bournemouth's involvement due to having less than six months remaining on his contract, under the Bosman ruling. Dortmund views him as the perfect replacement if Schlotterbeck decides to transfer.
Dortmund's early search for Schlotterbeck's successor opens the door for Liverpool to make an offer. The 26-year-old defender possesses qualities Liverpool desires: a left-footed player capable of playing both center-back and left-back. His transfer fee is expected to be around £35–44 million.
