Joel Matip has been a staunch supporter of Jurgen Klopp’s tremendous success at Anfield, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and 2019 Champions League, among other honours.
However, three months after his Liverpool contract expired, the experienced centre-back is surprisingly still out of work.
However, that could soon change as HITC understands that talks regarding his return to the professional game have already taken place. Matip has held talks with clubs in France and Germany, where he began his career and made nearly 200 Bundesliga appearances for Schalke.
However, there is also the option of starting fresh in England.
HITC can confirm that Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolves are considering their own deals.
Wolves and Fulham are interested in former Liverpool defender Joel Matip
Matip, who turns 33 in August, has struggled with injuries over the years. But the experienced defender still has plenty to offer in the short term, provided he can prove his fitness after making just 14 appearances in his final season as a Liverpool player.
As a right-back, Fulham’s interest in Matip could come as a surprise. After Joachim Andersen was brought back to Craven Cottage in a £30m deal from Crystal Palace, Marco Silva now has the option of the Denmark international alongside Issa Diop at right-back.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have the developing Elia Zabarny and summer signing Dean Huijsen from Juventus.
At Wolves, Craig Dawson, Jesin Mosquera and Santiago Bueno are all right-footed.
But Matip’s wealth of experience could make him an inspiring addition, particularly as a mentor to the likes of Huijsen and Zabani at Bournemouth.
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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp highlighted his excellence on and off the pitch in an emotional farewell in May.
“In all my years in football, I’m not sure I’ve met many players who were more loved than Joel Matip. I’m not even sure it’s possible to say a bad word about him.
“A fantastic professional, a fantastic footballer and a fantastic person. We’re lucky to have him and now all we can do is wish him all the best in his new direction.
“Joel’s qualities as a player are there for everyone to see and from the moment he arrived we as a club have benefited from those qualities. I don’t think he’s had too many headlines over the years, but he’s a great addition to our squad, a very popular guy.”
Matip has also been linked with a move to West Ham United.
HITC can confirm that the Hammers have space for free agents in their 25-man Premier League squad, as do Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolves, although another unsigned centre-back, Omar Sollet, appears to be attracting more interest from them.
Sollet’s contract with Red Bull Salzburg was terminated on Saturday.
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