Niko Kovac admits he can't stop Nico Schlotterbeck joining Liverpool or Bayern Munich

Niko Kovac admits he can't stop Nico Schlotterbeck joining Liverpool or Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund Niko Kovac has admitted he would be powerless to stop star man Nico Schlotterbeck from leaving the club.

Schlotterbeck, 25, has been heavily linked with a move away from the club as his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027.

Dortmund are hopeful the centre back will put pen to paper on a new deal, but reports coming out of Germany state that several clubs across Europe are interested.

Arch-rivals Bayern Munich are keen on adding him to their squad, while Liverpool are hoping Schlotterbeck will end their current defensive woes.

Speaking ahead of their Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (November 29), Kovac admitted there may not be anything he can do.

"I don't know to what extent I can influence things there - other than showing him appreciation. I show him that every day,” he said.

"He knows what we have in him. But he also knows what he has in the club. I'm optimistic, but only time will tell. I'm not a fortune teller. Let's wait and see."