2 days Ago By Dan Owen
Former Liverpool star Joel Matip could be offered a return to the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolves considering a move for the free-agent Cameroon international. Exclusive from Graeme Bailey A stalwart of Jurgen Klopp’s hugely successful spell at Anfield, Joel Matip won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and the 2019 Champions League alongside a number of other honours. But, three months after his Liverpool contract expired, the veteran centre-half surprisingly remains out of work.
That could change soon, however, with HITC understanding that talks have been held over a return to the professional game. Matip has held discussions with clubs in France and Germany, where he started his career and made nearly 200 Bundesliga appearances for FC Schalke 04. There is, however, also the option of a fresh start in England.
HITC can confirm that Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all mulling over a deal of their own. Wolves and Fulham eye ex-Liverpool defender Joel Matip Matip turned 33 in August and has had his fair share of injury issues over the years. But the veteran defender would still have plenty to offer on a short-term basis, provided he can prove his fitness after making only 14 appearances in his final season as a Liverpool player.
A right-sided centre-half, Fulham’s interest in Matip may come as something of a surprise. After bringing Joachim Andersen back to Craven Cottage in a £30 million deal from Crystal Palace, Marco Silva now has the Denmark international as well as Issa Diop to pick from in that right-hand role. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have the ever-improving Ilya Zabarnyi and the summer signing from Juventus, Dean Huijsen .
At Wolves, Craig Dawson, Yerson Mosquera and Santiago Bueno are all right footers themselves. But Matip’s vast experience is something that could make him an inspired addition, particularly as a mentor for the likes of Huijsen and Zabarnyi at Bournemouth. Cameroon star could take leadership role at Bournemouth Former Liverpool boss Klopp highlighted his towering presence both on and off the pitch when saying an emotional farewell back in May.
“In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip. I’m not even sure it would be possible to say anything bad about him,” Klopp, who has since been replaced at Anfield by Arne Slot, told the official Liverpool website . “A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being – we have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have and now all we can do is wish him well as he heads off in a new direction.
“Joel’s qualities as a player are there for all to see and as a club we have benefited from them since the first moment that he joined. I don’t think he has had too many headlines over the years but he has only ever been a very famous figure within our group.” Matip has also been linked with West Ham.
HITC can confirm that The Hammers do indeed have room in their 25-man Premier League roster for a free-agent addition – as do Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolves – though another unattached centre-half Oumar Solet appears to be higher up on their radar. Solet saw his contract at Red Bull Salzburg terminated on Saturday..
