Liverpool news with Schlotterbeck agreement and Barcelona stance on Kounde sale | Football | Sport

With the international break now behind them, Liverpool’s complete focus will shift to what promises to be a pivotal couple of months for the club. The Reds return to action on Saturday when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup, with a trip to France following just four days later as they face Champions League holders PSG. The primary objective remains securing their place at Europe’s top table once again next season, though there remains considerable work to be done on that front.

Missing out on a Champions League berth could have a significant impact on what is shaping up to be another major summer, particularly following Mohamed Salah‘s announcement of his forthcoming departure. Express Sport rounds up the latest updates on Liverpool‘s transfer plans…

Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)

An agreement has been reached on a new contract for Nico Schlotterbeck at Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, despite the defender dismissing claims this week that he is close to putting pen to paper on a new deal.

Responding to rumours that he was closing in on a contract extension to keep him at Dortmund until 2031, Schlotterbeck said: “I must clearly deny that. Unfortunately, we haven’t reached that point.”

Plettenberg has claimed that the figures of a new deal have been agreed and “won’t change significantly”, with Dortmund awaiting Schlotterbeck’s final approval. A change in the club’s sporting director appears to have delayed the process, with Nils-Ole Book having replaced Sebastian Kehl last week.

Express Sport says: Even though Schlotterbeck has denied it this week, it does seem as though he’s closer to extending his stay at Dortmund than leaving in the summer. Should Liverpool harbour any ambition to sign him, it may need to move swiftly, though that could hinge on Ibrahima Konate’s intentions. If the Frenchman is similarly set to put pen to paper on a new contract, that would lessen the urgency for a new centre-back.

Liverpool could encounter competition for Jules Kounde’s signature, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that the Reds are just one of three Premier League clubs monitoring him closely.

It is understood that Liverpool is seeking to bolster their defensive options at full-back, having brought in attacking player Jeremie Frimpong last summer, with Kounde under close observation. Manchester City and Chelsea are also reportedly keen.

Despite Kounde having penned a fresh contract last summer tying him to Barcelona until 2030, it is suggested the Catalan club could be persuaded to cash in. It is claimed that Barca would find it “difficult to refuse” if an offer of around £70million (€80m) was tabled.

Express Sport says: Given Liverpool’s issues at right-back, signing another option in Kounde could make sense. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong’s consistent injury setbacks are a real issue and Dominik Szoboszlai is too good in midfield to continue dropping back into the defence.