United’s pursuit of Bundesliga defensive powerhouse under serious threat from Barcelona – report

Manchester United are eyeing several candidates with the aim of bolstering their backline in 2026. The Red Devils invested heavily in their defence in the summer of 2024, signing Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. Yoro and De Ligt are now first-team regulars under head coach Ruben Amorim, while Mazraoui is also a key part of the squad. However, United remain on the hunt for further reinforcements, especially since Harry Maguire’s contract expires at the end of this season. The veteran defender has been at the club since 2019, but he is already on the wrong side of 30, and the Premier League giants are keen to lay down succession plans. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that the Red Devils have set their sights on Nico Schlotterbeck to address the issue. Ideal for Amorim’s back three The German defender has been a first team regular for Borussia Dortmund since arriving at the Signal Iduna Park from SC Freiburg in the summer of 2022. He has already registered 14 appearances across competitions this season, 13 of which have been starts. Nico Schlotterbeck Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Bundesliga8-22-720′ UEFA Champions League4—-290′ DFB-Pokal2—-210′ Total14-22-1,220′ Source: Transfermarkt. The German is good in the air, aggressive in duels and comfortable with the ball at his feet, qualities that have endeared him to the Old Trafford hierarchy. The player will enter the final year of his contract next summer, so a cut-price move in 2026 could be a possibility. With Luke Shaw already in his 30s and Lissandro Martinez struggling with injuries, Schlotterbeck could make the left centre-back position his own. Barcelona and Liverpool are also eyeing the 26 year old with interest, and it now appears that the Catalans are ready to step up their pursuit of the player. Hansi Flick wants Schlotterbeck reunion According to Fichajes, Hansi Flick has asked Barcelona to sign Schlotterbeck in 2026. The German manager wants a new left-footed centre-back, with Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo struggling this season and Andreas Christensen out of contract next summer. The German defender earned his international debut under Flick, during his time with Die Mannschaft, which could work in the LaLiga champions’ favour. Dortmund, meanwhile, have already offered Schlotterbeck a new deal with a pay hike, but he is not convinced by the proposal. If he continues to stall a renewal, the Bundesliga giants will be forced to cash in on him next summer, which is when United are hoping to pounce. However, Barcelona’s presence will cause a few frowns at Old Trafford, especially since the Catalans are most attentive to the developments at the Signal Iduna Park. Final Thoughts Schlotterbeck is entering his prime and will instantly improve United’s defence, which has struggled in recent times. The Red Devils conceded 54 times in 38 games last season, and have already let in 20 in 13 games so far. As such, the need for a new defender cannot be ignored for much longer. Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly initiated talks to sign Marc Guehi in January, so United have to step up their efforts to secure Schlotterbeck. Although Barcelona remain in the race, the Catalans’ poor financial situation is well documented, so it would be unwise to rule out the Red Devils just yet. 🚨 DID YOU KNOW: Hansi Flick gave Barcelona transfer target Nico Schlotterbeck his debut for the German national team. pic.twitter.com/dkyQi3QUQy — Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 2, 2025 Featured image Alex Grimm via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.