Report: PSG interested in signing Liverpool defender Joel Matip

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Football website Kick442 claim that Liverpool defender Joel Matip is being monitored by Paris Saint-Germain this summer as the Reds consider a move to bring in a new centre-back – following Dejan Lovren’s departure.

Lovren completed a permanent move to Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg last month and finally flew to Russia to meet his new club. It leaves Liverpool with just Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as first-team options.

Sepp van der Berg is being touted as the next best thing in Liverpool’s academy while Nathaniel Phillips made his debut for Liverpool this season – and has impressed in helping Stuttgart gain promotion to the Bundesliga.

But with PSG set to lose Thiago Silva, 28-year-old Matip has emerged as a potential replacement. He played just 13 times last season due to injury – and Gomez’s form. Indeed, he has managed just 111 outings since joining in 2016.

Somewhat injury prone, Liverpool may be tempted to cash in – even though they handed a new contract to Matip in October, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2024. TeamTalk claim he is rated at £50million.

TBR’s view – Matip an excellent defender, if fit

His injury concerns are the only issue regarding the player. When fit, and with some momentum behind him, Matip has the ability to be one of the best central defenders in European football.

Excellent in the air, strong in the tackle but also very aware and superb with the ball at his feet – Matip has all the traits needed for a modern centre-back. But if PSG want him, they must work out a way of keeping him injury free.