Why PSG, Liverpool, and Arsenal should think twice before signing Nico Schlotterbeck

Borussia Dortmund centre-half Nico Schlotterbeck is attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Arsenal.

According to Bild, PSG are ready to €60-70 million for him. They want to rebuild and are eyeing the German international as a key part of the defensive transformation

Liverpool are preparing for the potential departure of Virgil Van Dijk and could turn to Schlotterbeck to fill the massive void he will leave if he decides to walk.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League and Schlotterbeck has been touted as a potential replacement.

The 25-year-old has all the raw tools to become one of the best defenders in the world. He is an aggressive, physically imposing centre-back and a leader of men.

Schlotterbeck has won 65 percent of his aerial and 60% of his ground duels in the Bundesliga this term.

He plays 7.81 progressive passes (99th percentile) and initiates 1.61 progressive carries (95th percentile) per 90 minutes. He is a complete defender.

Schlotterbeck has been tipped to become one of the best of his generation since he joined Dortmund from SC Freiburg in 2022.

European clubs cannot get carried away by Schlotterbeck

The statistics point to Schlotterbeck being one of the better defenders around, but there is a reason Dortmund are trying to cash in on him.

Schlotterbeck often jumps out of his defensive line and ends up isolated in terrible situations where he is at a disadvantage.

His lapses were on display in their loss to Barcelona in the Champions League in December.

He was not directly at fault for any of the goals, but he made himself easy to get by, giving Barca a route to the BVB goal.

His injury record is also not encouraging. He tends to pick up niggling knocks, although he has been fitter recently.

Schlotterbeck is a high-risk, high-reward option for any European club willing to bet on his talent.

His physical attributes and ball-playing ability make him an enticing prospect, but his defensive lapses and inconsistency raise concerns.