Liverpool suffer fresh setback in defender search, Barcelona favourites to land Manchester United target Karl Etta Eyong - Paper Round

Liverpool's search for a new defender has been dealt a blow as Borussia Dortmund will desperately try to keep hold of Nico Schlotterbeck, one of their top targets. Meanwhile, striker Karl Etta Eyong is also making Friday's headlines as Barcelona and Manchester United battle it out for the Levante star, while Chelsea's Tyrique George is set for talks with his club ahead of the upcoming window.

Reds face 'tough fight' for Dortmund defender

Liverpool have been dealt a fresh blow in their search for a new defender.

The Reds had been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck - but the Mirror claims the German side have no interest in selling the 25-year-old.

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The article reads: "It seems The Reds will now face a tough fight to prise the 25-year-old away from Dortmund, as the German side reportedly plan to make Schlotterbeck their poster boy. It was earlier suggested by German outlet Sport BILD that Liverpool were ready to table a bid of €50 million (£41.7m) for his services.

"And now, Ruhr Nachrichten have provided an update which says his team-mate Niklas Sule's tenure at Dortmund will conclude when his contract runs out in the summer of 2026. It appears that The Black and Yellows have already decided against extending the 30-year-old defender's contract. Sule's impending exit would then likely complicate any possible departure for Schlotterbeck.

"Sule's departure would free up some funds on Dortmund's wage bill, potentially allowing them to offer their star centre-back a new contract - thereby fending off interest from Liverpool and other clubs.

"This is a setback for Liverpool, who have already suffered a blow in their pursuit of top centre-back target Marc Guehi."

Nico Schlotterbeck

Image credit: Getty Images

Man Utd could lose out on La Liga star

Barcelona could beat Manchester United to the signature of Levante star Karl Etta Eyong as a result of an agreement in his contract.

Etta Eyong has scored five goals since joining from Villarreal, capturing the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Barcelona are in pole position, it seems, as they could land him on a cheaper deal than any Premier League club.

The Mirror writes: "Manchester United have a clear disadvantage in the race for Karl Etta Eyong, it has been claimed.

"Barcelona will reportedly be able to land the Levante star for considerably less than The Red Devils, with his current club putting in place different release clauses for different buyers.

"Barcelona are said to see Etta Eyong as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, whose own future in Catalunya is far from secure.

"According to Mundo Deportivo [via Football Espana], it will cost Barcelona £26.4 million to sign Etta Eyong. For Premier League clubs, though, the magic number sits at £35.2m.

"Manchester City, Arsenal and Real Madrid have also been linked with the 22-year-old, it has been claimed. However, Barca's interest comes with the club potentially looking at cheaper alternatives to [Hansi] Flick target and Borussia Dortmund hotshot Serhou Guirassy."

Etta Eyong of Levante UD celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Levante UD and Real Betis at Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, on September 14, 2025.

Image credit: Getty Images

George set for Blues talks

The Daily Mirror reports that Chelsea will sit down with Tyrique George ahead of the January transfer to get clarity on his future.

The teenage striker almost left Stamford Bridge in the summer only for a £22 million move to Fulham collapse on deadline day.

He has already found the net three times this season - once in the UEFA Champions League and twice in the Carabao Cup - as he looks to establish his place in the senior squad.

"Chelsea don't plan to force George to leave come the New Year, either permanently or on loan, but will hold talks with the teenager and his camp to see whether his career would be best served at The Blues, where there is a sizeable squad, or at pastures new," the outlet notes.

"Chelsea have several academy players in their squad, the likes of Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, but have sold more than 40 homegrown players in the past decade which has resulted in them pocketing £315m from selling academy-developed talent across the last four seasons alone."

George grabs first senior goal for Chelsea to make breakthrough at Legia

Video credit: TNT Sports

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