Liverpool are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that Joel Matip could be set to depart Merseyside this summer, according to Goal.
The 31-year-old will be entering the last year of his contract this summer and the Reds could look to move him on to recoup a transfer fee, rather than risk him shaking hands on a pre-contract agreement come the January transfer widow with an overseas club.
Matip joined Liverpool on a free transfer from FC Schalke 04 in the summer of 2016 after graduating through the German club’s youth ranksand has gone on to make 180 appearances for the former Premier League champions in all competitions during his time in England (transfermarkt).
The Sports View
With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez ahead of him in the pecking order, it makes sense for Matip to depart this summer and the club look to bring in the likes of Josko Gvardiol or Alessandro Bastoni as a replacement.
This season has not been straightforward by any means, and has highlighted that a significant rebuildo the squad needs to take place in certain positions
Matip’s strength lies as a ball-playing central defender and is something that others are not as comfortable with, any replacement needs to have this attribute to their game.
