Roma and Lazio are on the prowl for cheap reinforcements and have earmarked Joel Matip, who will most likely leave Liverpool on a free. He has missed most of the season due to an ACL tear.
Per Corriere della Sera (via Calciomercato), the 32-year-old will draw interest from several European clubs in the summer. He got hurt in December and should be fully ready for the start of the new season. Liverpool will likely significantly change their squad after appointing Arne Slot.
Matip represents Cameroon but has a German passport, so he wouldn’t occupy one of the two precious slots for extra-EU signings, further enticing Roma and Lazio. He joined the Reds on a Bosman move back in 20216 after several years at Schalke 04.
The veteran has amassed 201 appearances at Anfield and 256 in Gelsenkirchen. He has contributed to winning the Champions and the Premier League in recent campaigns, among other trophies. He lifted the DFB-Pokal during his time in Germany.
Our Take on Matip, Lazio, and Roma
Both sides will need defensive additions, as the Biancocelesti have no depth following a switch to a three-man defense. Instead, La Lupa has two loanees, Diego Llorente and Dean Huijsen, and Chris Smalling one expiring deal, who will probably will be let go. On the other hand, the Liverpool stalwart has been making €6M annually, which is easily too much for Italian suitors, and even a natural pay cut might not be enough.
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